LaMarcus Aldridge, #12, San Antonio Spurs, (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors seem willing to ship off their second-overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft for a veteran big man
The 2020 NBA Draft is less than a week away. While all the attention is set on the Minnesota Timberwolves in regards to what they’ll do with the first-overall pick, eyes are on the Golden State Warriors and the No. 2 overall selection. Will they keep the pick and use it on one of the best prospects available? Or will they flip the pick for an impact player. Well, one NBA writer has a scoop on a potential trade the Warriors are considering.
In the latest episode of “The Lowe Post,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe revealed that he heard the Warriors are interested in sending the second-overall pick to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for forward LaMarcus Aldridge and the 11th-overall selection.
Is Aldridge Bay Area bound?
It’s important to note that, based off the above clip, Lowe is befuddled by the rumor he received via text message. He believes the Warriors would be better off keeping the second pick instead of sending it for the 35-year-old big man.
Aldridge is coming off a pretty strong season with the Spurs, where he averaged 18.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 blocks, while shooting 49.3-percent from the field and 38.9-percent from behind the three-point line through 53 games. After the coronavirus pandemic sent the 2019-20 campaign into a months-long pause, Aldridge was not available for San Antonio’s trip to the league bubble in Orlando, as he underwent right shoulder surgery in late April.
While the trade is wishful thinking for both parties, the Warriors would have to send over a large salary for them to easily accept Aldridge’s $24 million for next season. Golden State will have their trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green at full health for this season and pose as the biggest threat to the defending NBA champions in the Los Angeles Lakers. Thats why the Warriors are dangling their high draft selection to other teams to see if they can add another big name to put them over the edge.
Will the Warriors pull the trigger on Aldridge? Or will they instead opt to keep the pick to take James Wiseman or Anthony Edwards? We’ll find out by draft night on Nov. 18.