The Golden State Warriors’ performance this season has been a rollercoaster ride for their fans. Despite the glow of four championship titles, an old and familiar problem has resurfaced—an unstable center position. This issue has been a ticking time bomb, threatening to shatter the team’s championship dreams at any moment.
The Warriors tried to solve the issue by promoting second-year center Trayce Jackson-Davis to the starting lineup, but the results have been underwhelming. To make matters worse, their bench depth is worryingly thin. If Kevon Looney were to get injured or have an off night, the team’s interior defense would crumble like paper.
Facing this dilemma, the Warriors’ front office has been actively exploring the trade market for potential reinforcements. According to Bleacher Report journalist Jake Fischer, the Warriors have had conversations with several centers across the league. Among them, Kelly Olynyk from the Toronto Raptors was reportedly the closest to joining the team.
“That deal was almost done,” Fischer revealed. “The Warriors nearly brought Olynyk to the Bay Area last year.”
At 33 years old, Olynyk is far from a superstar. However, his reliable three-point shooting and veteran experience are exactly what the Warriors need. This season, Olynyk has averaged 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, with an impressive 44% shooting from beyond the arc. While his stats may not jump off the page, a player like him could make a significant impact within the Warriors’ system.
“His salary is also easy to manage, falling within the mid-level exception,” Fischer explained. This means the Warriors could have acquired him without making drastic changes to their roster. However, the trade ultimately fell through, leaving fans feeling frustrated.
“Why didn’t they pull the trigger sooner?” one longtime fan vented on social media. “If we had Olynyk last year, we wouldn’t be stuck at 19-19 right now!”
The Warriors’ performance this season has been inconsistent, leaving them sitting at 10th place in the Western Conference. While Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson remain in good form, the team’s overall performance has been disappointing. Their lack of interior defense has been painfully evident, especially in matchups against strong opponents like the Boston Celtics. In fact, the league even admitted to a crucial officiating error during a recent game between the two teams, further fueling fan frustration.
“We have no more room for error,” a Warriors insider reportedly said. “The team must take action before the trade deadline in February, or we risk missing the playoffs entirely.”
Although there hasn’t been any concrete news about a new trade, the renewed rumors surrounding Olynyk suggest that the Warriors’ front office hasn’t given up on bolstering their frontcourt. For fans, this glimmer of hope is a welcome relief amid a season filled with uncertainty.
“Olynyk isn’t a superstar, but he’s exactly the kind of piece we need,” one devoted fan wrote in an online forum. “If he joins the team, our overall competitiveness will definitely improve.”
However, not everyone shares the same optimism.
“He’s already 33,” some skeptics pointed out. “Can he keep up with the Warriors’ fast-paced playstyle? Or will he turn out to be another disappointing acquisition?”
Regardless of the differing opinions, time is running out for the Warriors. The front office must make a decision before the trade deadline. Missing this window could mean the team will be forced to rely on their current roster for the rest of the season—a risky move in the highly competitive Western Conference, where one misstep could cost them a playoff spot.
All eyes will be on the Warriors as the February deadline approaches. For them, this isn’t just about making a trade; it’s a do-or-die moment that could determine the team’s future.
