The Golden State Warriors already know what their top options look like. Stephen Curry continues to carry an enormous offensive load, and Jimmy Butler has become the steady, two-way partner Golden State envisioned.
Everything after that remains unsettled.
Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga have each delivered flashes, but none have consistently produced on the level Golden State needs to complement its veteran core.
That uncertainty is why Fansided’s Peter O’Keefe recently floated the idea of targeting a six-time All-Star who could give the Warriors immediate scoring help.
That player is DeMar DeRozan.
Why DeRozan Fits What Golden State Needs
GettyDeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings looks on before facing the Toronto Raptors.
Even in a turbulent season for the Sacramento Kings, DeRozan continues to put up efficient numbers — 18.8 points per game on 50 percent shooting and the strongest three-point accuracy of his career. He remains one of the league’s most polished mid-range creators and still operates as a stabilizer when possessions break down.
For a Warriors team that leans heavily on Curry for late-clock offense, that skill set would be valuable.
DeRozan’s growth as a catch-and-shoot player also makes him a cleaner fit in Golden State’s spacing than he would’ve been earlier in his career. His Chicago run showed a willingness to adapt, facilitate and organize second units — all qualities the Warriors have lacked behind Curry for several seasons. Add in his structure, shot creation and steady decision-making, and the appeal becomes clear.
The Kuminga Question: What the Warriors Would Be Giving Up
Any real DeRozan conversation would eventually circle back to Kuminga, not because the Warriors are eager to move him, but because his value and contract make him the most realistic anchor in a major deal.
And if Kuminga were part of such a trade, it’s not as if Golden State would be losing spacing — his offensive contribution has never been defined by perimeter shooting.
The hesitation would be something else entirely.
Kuminga is one of the few young, explosive athletes on an aging roster. Moving him for another veteran would make the Warriors older and potentially less equipped to match up physically with the league’s younger, faster playoff teams. That’s the trade-off Golden State would have to weigh carefully.
Why the Warriors May Aim Higher Than DeRozan
Once Kuminga becomes eligible to be moved on January 15, the Warriors are expected to aim far higher than DeRozan. If they ever put him in a trade package, it would be for a younger, long-term swing — someone who raises both the present and future ceiling.
Their wishlist would almost certainly begin with names like Trey Murphy III, whom Golden State reportedly showed interest in during the offseason and who fits exactly what their roster lacks.
A DeRozan deal doesn’t hit the same tier of upside.
But that doesn’t remove him from the conversation completely.
Why DeRozan Could Still Be a Realistic Deadline Option
If we approach the deadline and no higher-end targets materialize, the Warriors still need a dependable third scorer, and Kuminga continues to fluctuate in the rotation, then DeRozan becomes a realistic alternative — not the dream scenario, but a workable one.
He offers self-creation, late-game reliability and a stabilizing presence for the non-Curry minutes. In a tight Western Conference race, those qualities can swing outcomes.
DeRozan doesn’t transform the franchise, but he meaningfully addresses a problem the Warriors haven’t solved internally.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Warriors Floated as Landing Spot for 6-Time All-Star Scorer appeared first on Heavy Sports.