NBA rumors: 5 teams that should be buying at the NBA trade deadline

3. Golden State Warriors

No one expected the Golden State Warriors to be among the title contenders once Klay Thompson tore his Achilles, but with Stephen Curry playing at an MVP level in his age-33 season, and Draymond Green being 31 himself, this franchise owes it to one of the greatest players in NBA history to try and keep that title window open for as long as possible.

In truth, it may have already closed, but it doesn’t take Curry animatedly begging his teammates to try harder for anyone to see this roster needs upgrades greater than the Kelly Oubre Jr. or Andrew Wiggins variety. That’s why it’s not surprising that names like Lonzo Ball, Victor Oladipo and Otto Porter Jr. have all popped up in relation to the Warriors over the last few months.

Heading into Tuesday’s action, the Dubs sat at 20-20, just outside the top-eight spots in the Western Conference. While they’d qualify for the play-in game(s) if the season ended today, nobody in Golden State is satisfied watching an MVP-caliber season from Curry — potentially one of his last before inevitable decline sets in — go to waste. Expect the Warriors to be on the lookout for big moves, especially with that Minnesota Timberwolves first-round pick (top-three protected this year, unprotected next year) to offer.