Just two seasons ago, the Golden State Warriors were the 2022 NBA Champions, led by vintage performances, surprising heroics from both the old and young generations, and the spectacular heroics of NBA-great Stephen Curry.

But as they say, “the higher they fly, the harder they fall”.

Fast forward two years to 2024, and the rest of the league has evolved, while the Warriors remain stuck in place—no progression, no improvements, solely mired in mediocrity and frustration.

It really shouldn’t be that surprising to the Warriors, however. In a rapidly evolving league, where athleticism and size’s importance grows with the number of talented big men growing, and the necessity for consistent paint defense crucial for a team’s defensive scheme (see: The Timberwolves), the Warriors have remained entrenched in their philosophy of fast-paced small ball with no true centers. They continue to force lineups including key contributors of the 2022 team, but to no avail. The league has adjusted. They have not. Look at the bottom of the Warriors’ team plus/minus as of January 9th:

The bottom five? Their 5 starters for most of the title year, as well as they playoffs.

They’re not who they used to be. Whether it’s age, loss of confidence, on and off-court issues, or league-wide adjustments that have rendered some players completely ineffective (Looney & Wiggins), or signs of decline and a struggle to keep up with the league (Thompson), the issues are apparent. They are no longer as dominant as they used to be, nor are they the ones keeping the team afloat and competitive. The Warriors have truly struggled to win games this year, and at 18-20 (12th in the West), they’ve already burned almost half the season playing mediocre at-best basketball. Time is ticking. Change seems more necessary than ever, as their core enters the twilight of their prime years.

Now, the blame does not solely rest on the 15 guys on the roster every game. A plentiful portion of the blame should be placed upon Steve Kerr, who is making a compelling case for the Warriors to think about moving on after this year, and finding a new voice of leadership. But that’s for another article.

It’s clear new faces who fill the glaring needs of the Warriors are needed. Whether it is ineffectiveness, injuries, or just general unproductiveness, what the Warriors are doing now just isn’t working, and Steph Curry knows it:

When Stephen Curry speaks, many listen, and I’m sure nobody is listening closer than Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. Trades will likely be made. Tough choices will likely be executed. A difference maker will likely be brought in. Let’s take a look at 3 guys who might be the key addition that the Warriors are desperately seeking and need.

Target #1: Pascal siakam

We’ll get the most obvious target out of the way. With no clear difference makers on the Warriors besides Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on occasions, Pascal Siakam would amend those shortcomings, and add a multidimensional aspect to the Warriors’ offense that could take pressure off of Curry. A two-time all-star, a most-improved player, and 2019 NBA Champion, Siakam has developed into one of the NBA’s most accomplished players by the age of 29.

Although not the most consistent 3-point shooter, he is shooting a respectable 32.2% this year on 3.7 attempts per game. If he can keep that above 30 percent, the Warriors would love the fit in their offense. A good finisher with advanced handles for a forward, who can create looks for others with the ball in his hands (4.9 assists per game this year), and he would fit nicely in the Warriors’ ball-movement-heavy scheme.

The fit is not perfect, however. Siakam’s defense has never been his calling card, as his game blossomed from his offensive versatility. The Raptors’ 119.1 defensive rating while Siakam is on the court is a career-worst by a longshot. He’s not a particularly effective perimeter or paint defender. The Warriors’ biggest problem this year has been their defensive play, ranking 24th in team defensive rating (117.4), and Siakam wouldn’t alleviate this, or move the needle much in the positive direction.

However, Siakam’s offensive package of crafty inside finishing, with the possibility of opening up the Warriors’ shooters on the perimter, his knack for finding open teammates, and the best offensive efficiency of his career since his breakout year in 2018 (52.6% FG) would add a dangerous threat that opposing defenses would have to plan for.

If Dunleavy can get him and figure out a way to extend him and work the books, this is best available target.

target #2: Lauri markkanen

That sounds just like Lauri Markkanen, doesn’t it?

Markkanen is a dangerous offensive threat. A rare three-level scorer as a 7-footer, he has good athleticism that punishes teams for putting slower big men on him, which allows him to attack the rim efficiently at 49.2%, good for the 18th-best rate for NBA players’ field goal percentage at the rim. He has a smooth jumper that is effective in the post and as a spot-up shooter, as he can attack mismatches in the mid-range, and makes catch-and-shoot 3s at an incredibly efficient 40.2% clip.

These attributes have translated to 23.6 points per game on 49/39/87 shooting splits, quite close to a 50/40/90 shooting line. He is one of the game’s most unique and premier offensive threats with how he threatens all three offensive levels. He should be a seamless fit in the Warriors’ system as an athletic big-man who can keep up with the quicker pace, hit trailing threes in transition, attack when the paint is clear, and run effective pick & roll/pop games with the Warriors’ ball-handlers. This is maybe the most ideal fit scheme-wise, but will likely be the most expensive to acquire in terms of assets the Warriors would need to part with. Markkanen would be a dangerous second-option behind Stephen Curry, but how that team operates on defense would be a legitimate concern as well.

Regardless, Markkanen in a clear ceiling-raiser for the Warriors.

target #3: zach lavine

Lavine is not the best fit, and would most-likely make the Warriors’ defensive problems even worse, but boy, this offense would be fun to watch.

Lavine is having his worst offensive season since becoming a Bull, with the worst efficiency of his Bulls career (45/35/86 splits), but he is not far removed from being one of the most dangerous shooting threats off the dribble, as well as catching and shooting. As the Bulls’ number one option, he likely may be seeing decreased efficiency from the large volume, but in an offense where Stephen Curry will attract enormous quantities of defensive attention, Lavine would get a large opportunity of open catch-and-shoot looks on the perimeter, as well as weaker defenders possibly guarding him.

Without such an offensive burden on his shoulders, Lavine would likely be able to seek more efficient shots, and would likely be able to use his elite athleticism inside with so much attention commanded on the perimeter from the splash bros.

While Lavine is a complete defensive zero, the Warriors have a handful of defensively versatile players who can matchup with greater offensive threats, limiting Lavine’s defensive responsibility. Although in the playoffs it is tough to hide players’ defensive deficiencies, if the Warriors want to have that problem, they’ll need an upgrade like Lavine to even get to the playoffs to run into that issue.

Although not the cleanest fit, Lavine is a clear offensive upgrade over all players but Curry, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Warriors pull the trigger on this move if they can work out the financials, since Lavine would likely require the smallest asset sacrifice.