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On Wednesday the Golden State Warriors hammered out the details on a trade that most people knew was coming, sending forward Eric Paschall to the Utah Jazz in exchange for a second round pick.
Paschall will get to be reunited with star guard Donovan Mitchell, a long-standing close friend. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Golden State has traded F Eric Paschall to the Utah Jazz for a protected future second round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 4, 2021
The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported that the pick the Dubs will receive is a 2026 second-rounder originally from the Memphis Grizzlies, and is top-42 protected.
Source: The Warriors are receiving a Memphis 2026 second rounder, top-42 protected, from Utah in the Eric Paschall deal. It clears up a needed roster spot. Paschall wanted to unite with childhood friend Donovan Mitchell with the Jazz.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) August 4, 2021
That’s not much of a return, but the Warriors surely weren’t expecting much, either. The primary goal in trading Paschall was to clear a roster spot, as the third-year pro didn’t have a role on the team going forward.
Paschall was a second-round pick (No. 41 overall) in 2019, and had a breakout rookie season with a 15-win Warriors team that was decimated by injuries. He made the All-Rookie team while averaging 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
But he lost most of his role in 2020-21, on a more competitive team. Paschall dealt with injuries and also just fell out of the rotation, averaging 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on very mediocre efficiency.
The writing was on the wall for the 6’6 Paschall to be gone before the 2021-22 season. He struggles defensively (where doesn’t have a position), doesn’t have a reliable three-point shot, and isn’t a playmaker. It’s pretty hard to find a role on the Warriors for a player like that.
Still, he’s going to a good team, where he’ll play alongside his friend and likely get a chance to earn a decent role, so everyone wins.