Dubs in-depth: What should the Warriors do with trade exception?

Even though the Golden State Warriors have the worst record in the NBA, the team is set to return to the top of the NBA next season.

Klay Thompson will be back after missing the year rehabbing from his ACL injury. Stephen Curry will be next to him in the back court and the team will have a top-5 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

One move Bob Myers last offseason was trading veteran Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies. The move gave the Warriors a $17.2 million trade exception, meaning the team can make an unbalanced trade in regard to salary without cap penalties. The exception is scheduled to expire on July 7, but that should be extended once the NBA figures out its timeline in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Anthony Slater of The Athletic looked at 10 players whose salaries work for the Dubs to target with their exception.

Here are the options Slater listed:

Guards: Josh Richardson (76ers), Marcus Smart (Celtics)

Wings/forwards: Robert Covington (Rockets), Thaddeus Young (Bulls), Kelly Oubre (Suns), Aaron Gordon (Magic), Rudy Gay (Spurs), Andre Iguodala (Heat)

Centers: Kelly Olynyk (Heat), Dewayne Dedmon (Hawks)

Out of Slater’s list, the two players I like best as a fit with the Warriors are Richardson and Gordon.

Richardson is only 26 years old and provides the Dubs with a good backup for Thompson and Curry. He’s also cost-effective and fits what the Warriors are looking for.

Gordon is intriguing as well. To me, he is the most talented player on the list and as Slater mentions, a chance of scenery to a team that is much more talented than the Magic could allow Gordon to thrive.

Andrew Wiggins will benefit from being the third/fourth option with a fully healthy squad next year, which takes the pressure off of him to produce as a primary scorer, something he couldn’t live up to with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Gordon is in a similar situation with Orlando, so if the Dubs can get creative to create the necessary cap space to acquire the 24-year-old, the gamble could pay off.

Of course, the moves depend on what the Warriors do with their first-round pick. If they keep it and pick Anthony Edwards, then look for Myers to try an acquire some front court help. If the Dubs trade the pick for some immediate help, then the list of needs can change.

It will be an eventful offseason for the Dubs whenever things resume.

Is there a player on the list you think best fits the Warriors needs?

Onto some more links:

How could the Warriors’ finances be impacted if the NBA season is cancelled? (Forbes)

How young Warriors face unique challenges during coronavirus pandemic (NBC Bay Area)

Best teams ever bracket: Championship round, 2017 Warriors vs. 1996 Bulls (Yahoo! Sports)

Warriors’ company Peloton group now competing against Brooklyn Nets (NBC Bay Area)