NBA News: Golden State Warriors Hopes To Add Sixers' Nerlens Noel Or Nuggets' Will Barton [Video]
With a league-best 33-6 win-loss record entering January 12's game against the Detroit Pistons, it looks like the Golden State Warriors are formidable enough to claim this season's championship crown. However, the Oakland-based basketball ball club does not seem to see themselves that way.
Although the Dubs have a star-laden lineup of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the team knows fully well that getting the NBA diadem is not guaranteed. The only option is to surround its all-stars with vital cogs that will make the club better.
With the trade deadline inching closer, the Warriors are expected to orchestrate trade schemes that will net them quality players. Bleacher Report writer Zach Buckley has cited that the team is eyeing forward Nerlens Noel from the Philadelphia Sixers and guard Will Barton from the Denver Nuggets.
Although Golden State is stacked with shooters, the ball club also needs consistency at the wings. This is where prolific scorer Barton fits in. As of late, the Dubs' shooting guard position only features Ian Clark and Patrick McCaw.
The former pick of the Portland Trail Blazers is currently averaging 13.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. What makes Barton a prized catch is his affordable salary rate of $3.53 million for the season.
Meanwhile, big man Nerlens Noel can make the Warriors better. Averaging 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, this defensive stalwart easily plugs the gaping hole of the team in the middle.
What makes the former New Orleans Hornets draft pick expendable is the loaded front court of the 76ers. With Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor in the lineup, it is highly likely that playing time distribution will be a huge problem.
Noel to the Dubs makes a lot of sense since the shot blocking skills of the former University of Kentucky standout further reinforces the defensive orchestrations of Golden State. With Philadelphia likely needing the scoring of Embiid and Okafor, Noel is easily the odd man out.
