Warriors Urged to Trade for All-Defensive Guard to Help Steph Curry
If the Golden State Warriors are serious about making one final championship push in the twilight of Stephen Curry’s career, they may need to fix the one weakness that continues to hold them back.
Head coach Steve Kerr has rotated Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Buddy Hield alongside Curry in the backcourt to open the season. But according to Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz, there’s one ideal trade target who could immediately elevate Golden State’s two-way potential: Derrick White of the Boston Celtics.
“At 31, Derrick White isn’t exactly young anymore but would look like a spring chicken alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Al Horford on these Golden State Warriors,” Swartz wrote.
Derrick White Seen as Ideal Defensive Partner for Curry
Swartz argued that White’s two-way ability is the perfect complement for the 38-year-old Curry, whose defensive intensity naturally can’t match his prime years.
“White would also be the perfect backcourt partner for a 38-year-old Curry who probably isn’t going to be giving All-Defensive efforts on a nightly basis at this stage of his career,” Swartz added.
A two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection, White remains one of the league’s most versatile guards — capable of defending multiple positions and protecting the rim at an elite level. Swartz called him “perhaps the best shot-blocking guard we’ve seen since Dwyane Wade.”
In addition to defense, White brings efficient playmaking, three-point shooting, and championship experience — all invaluable traits for a Warriors team looking to squeeze out another deep playoff run from its veteran core.
White’s Role in Boston Could Be in Flux Amid Slow Start
White has started the new season averaging 20.0 points per game, but his efficiency has dipped as he’s shouldered a heavier offensive load following injuries to Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and the offseason departures of Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday.
He’s shooting just 31.6% from the field and 29.2% from three, a sharp contrast to the 44.2% overall and 38.4% three-point mark he posted during Boston’s 2024 championship run.
The numbers suggest that White thrives best as a complementary player, not as a primary offensive hub — a role he could seamlessly resume in Golden State next to Curry, Butler and Green and his familiarity with Horford.
Celtics Have Set a High Bar for Trade Offers
Getty Boston Celtics’ Derrick White and Jaylen Brown are untouchables.
Despite trade speculation, Boston has no immediate plans to move White.
According to
In July, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints
Celtics executive Mike Zarren directly addressed rumors involving White and Jaylen Brown, emphasizing both are core pieces of Boston’s roster.
“Those two guys are really, really great NBA players,” Zarren told reporters after the draft. “There hasn’t been anything close to serious about trading them.”
Why the Warriors Should Still Be Watching
If the Celtics continue to struggle, that could change — and the Warriors are one of the few teams equipped to pounce.
Golden State owns up to four tradable first-round picks and several matching contracts, including Jonathan Kuminga’s.
Kuminga, who re-signed on a two-year, $48.5 million deal with a team option, has been excellent early — averaging 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on 55.2% shooting and 50% from deep.
Still, if the Warriors see White as the missing piece to reignite their championship window, the front office may face a difficult decision: keep building around Kuminga’s growth — or trade for the two-way guard who could maximize Curry’s remaining prime.
Cubs Face Crucial Decision On Shota Imanaga’s Contract — Breaking Down The Options
When the Chicago Cubs signed Shota Imanaga, the top line of the deal was four years and $53 million. But the deal is about as creative as one could imagine.
No, it’s not Shohei Ohtani creative. But this offseason does represent a real fork in the road for Imanaga and the Cubs, a franchise the former Japanese star wanted to play for so much that he stealthily slipped into Chicago before Cubs Con in 2023 to get a feel for the city before he signed the deal.
Now? He could end up being a rich man or a free agent. It isn’t just about the money. It’s about Imanaga’s future and whether he’s a fit for the Cubs for what could be the next three years. Chicago won’t have much time to make that decision after the World Series, either.
Shota Imanaga’s Contract Paths
Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
As presented by Jordan Bastian at MLB.com, the easiest thing the Cubs could do would be to trigger a club option to keep the left-hander. But it isn’t an ordinary option. Most contract options are year-to-year. This option, as written into the deal, is a three-year option. If Chicago triggers it, then it’s tied to Imanaga for three more seasons at a cost of $57.75 million.
That means the Cubs are comfortable with tying themselves to the 32-year-old for three more years. On paper, that works. He is 24-11 with a 3.28 ERA in 54 starts since he joined Chicago in 2023. But he’s spent time on the injured list both seasons, and he’ll be 35 at the end of the deal. The Cubs may not be comfortable with the money and his age.
If the Cubs aren’t comfortable, perhaps Imanaga is? By declining the option, the Cubs then put the lefty’s future in his hands. He would then have a one-year option that is worth $15.25 million. If Imanaga wants to stay at that cost, he can do so.
But it also triggers a different option for the Cubs. After the 2026 season, the three-year option would become a two-year option for Chicago, and the process would repeat.
That might be a good middle ground for the Cubs. But Imanaga may feel he’s worth more on the open market. Plus, by entering the market he would compete with San Diego’s Michael King, Houston’s Framber Valdez and San Diego’s Dylan Cease for the top free agent starting pitcher on the market.
The final option is both sides declining the option. In that case, the Cubs do have one final arrow in the quiver — the qualifying offer. Teams are allowed to make a qualifying offer to impending free agents. This year the QO is an estimated $22 million. Imanaga can take the money or turn it down. But, if another team signs Imanaga, then Chicago gets draft pick compensation.
Right now, Chicago has Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Cade Horton and Javier Assad under contract. That is four-fifths of a starting rotation. Imanaga would complete it before the Cubs even hit free agency.
But that’s the question. Do the Cubs want Imanaga? Does Imanaga want the Cubs if they don’t trigger the option? Soon, the Cubs will have to figure that out.
