Al Horford has been a colossal disappointment with the Golden State Warriors this year.
The former Boston Celtics center signed with the Dubs in early October to help give the organization a starting caliber center with championship experience to replace Kevon Looney.
However, Horford hasn’t been the serviceable pick-and-pop/low-post threat that Golden State hoped he’d be, as the 6-foot-9 NBA champion center averaged 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game on 33.8% field goal shooting and 31.9% three-point shooting. Fortunately, there’s still time for the Warriors to acquire a big man capable of making a more significant impact on the hardwood.
In Blue Man Hoop’s Peter O’Keefe’s opinion, the Warriors should consider trading Jonathan Kuminga to the Dallas Mavericks for a former Los Angeles Lakers NBA champion forward. “The Golden State has arguably been the team most proposed as a destination for Davis, including by The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Sam Quinn of CBS Sports,” O’Keefe wrote Thursday.
“However, the Warriors would have to drastically alter the identity of their team to trade for Davis and his $54.1 million deal for this season, with Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the front office needing to make the brutal decision to give up Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green.”
“Moving Green would also require Golden State to trade Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield as well, and that’s before mentioning what sort of draft compensation Dallas would need. This report at least suggests Davis will be available at some price, but whether the Warriors are willing to match that remains to be seen.”
Davis will undoubtedly be viewed as a wild card on the trade market this season.
The 10-time All-Star is a force to be reckoned with on both ends, as he not only thrives as a back-to-the-basket and face-up post player but also makes opponents think twice about attempting layups and dunks around the rim. Davis is averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game with the Mavericks this season.
However, it’s challenging to appreciate Davis’ two-way dominance when the Kentucky product is frequently unavailable due to various injuries.
Davis has already missed 11 games this year due to a calf strain, further proving that the 32-year-old is unreliable from a health standpoint. Still, with Kuminga continuing to play unpredictable basketball for the Warriors and Golden State needing to bolster its frontcourt, it may be worthwhile for the franchise to ponder O’Keefe’s blockbuster trade concept.
