NBA Rumors: 5 prospects and trades Warriors must target with No. 7 pick

1. Trade No. 7 overall pick in deal for Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard

Admittedly, the Warriors might only be a dark horse contender to get him, but it serves Golden State to kick the tires and see what kind of blockbuster trade package they can put together for Portland Trail Blazers superstar point guard Damian Lillard. The perennial All-NBA performer may want to play out the rest of his prime for his hometown team in the Bay Area for all we know.

While the spacing will be clunky, just imagine a backcourt of Curry and Lillard with Thompson helping cover their major defensive inefficiencies out on the wing. Though defense will be an issue, this would be the Splash Brothers on steroids. Like the Brooklyn Nets’ big three of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, the Lillard Warriors would be all about always outscoring everyone.

So what would the Warriors have to give up to get Lillard? Pretty much everything short of the sun. The No. 7 and No. 14 picks are gone, as well as Wiggins and Wiseman to start. Golden State would need to give up future first-round picks and potentially other compensation to bring the Oakland native back home in a blockbuster trade. Doing so makes the Warriors a very scary team.

Overall, whatever the Warriors decide to do with their two top-14 picks this year will be utterly fascinating. It will signify to the rest of the league how serious this club is about getting back to playing championship-caliber basketball. Dealing both picks for a star would speak volumes, while adding the right draft piece could help Golden State over the top back into serious title contention.

What should the Warriors do with their No. 7 pick: Draft a player or use the pick to trade for a star?