Why the Warriors Should Target This Scorer in a Blockbuster Trade

The Golden State Warriors are running out of ways to mask the same issue that keeps sinking them night after night. Their offense goes cold for long stretches, their spacing tightens the moment 

Stephen Curry sits, and their role players are not generating enough scoring pressure to keep pace with the better teams in the West.

Wednesday’s loss to Houston showcased all of it again. The Warriors endured another long scoring drought, generated limited paint touches and found themselves relying almost entirely on Curry and 

Jimmy Butler to rescue possessions. Add in Curry’s quad injury scare, and the urgency surrounding Golden State’s offensive problems has only intensified.

With the Warriors now sitting at 10 and 10 through 20 games, the team’s front office may have no choice but to consider more drastic paths to boost their scoring. And one new proposal suggests exactly that.

A fresh trade idea from Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has the Warriors swinging big for one of the league’s most high-volume shot-makers.

Warriors Floated in Blockbuster Trade Idea for Scoring Upgrade

Buckley’s mock deal sends Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, a top four protected 2026 first-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick swap to the Brooklyn Nets

 in exchange for Michael Porter Jr..

From Golden State’s perspective, the appeal is obvious. Porter is a ready-made scoring punch. He is averaging more than 24 points per game in Brooklyn while taking on a featured role and hitting shots at scale. His size and quick-release jumper give him instant plug-and-play value in a system that desperately needs someone who can punish defenses for overloading on Curry.

Why the Warriors Might Consider a Porter Trade

The Warriors sit near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency, and with Curry sidelined, their scoring issues look even more exposed. The offense has struggled to create advantages, generate easy shots and keep pace when Curry sits.

That is where Porter enters the conversation.

Porter is averaging 24.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in his first stretch with Brooklyn, reminding the league why his combination of size and shot-making can flip games. He was an ultra-efficient finisher next to 

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in Denver, and despite carrying a bigger workload with the Nets, his numbers remain strong.

For Golden State, Porter checks several boxes:

• Elite floor spacing

• High-volume shot creation

• Quick decision-making

• Scoring consistency the roster currently lacks

As Buckley pointed out, Porter’s contract expires in 2027, the same offseason Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green come off the books. Golden State could theoretically take the short-term financial hit and reassess later.

And unlike Kuminga, Porter does not need a featured developmental role. He fits more seamlessly into a Curry-led system designed around quick reads, perimeter gravity and smart spacing.

The Massive Cost of Chasing Shot-Making

Now the downside: the price tag.

Moving Kuminga and Moody together is not something the Warriors envisioned a year ago. Kuminga has shown flashes of two-way dominance and Moody continues to grow as a scorer. Losing both, plus two picks, is a significant future bet.

There are also questions about Porter’s long-term reliability. His injury history is well-documented. He has missed major time in multiple seasons and still carries some durability concerns. If he breaks down or regresses, the Warriors would be left with less youth, fewer assets and no guaranteed star.

The contract remains difficult too. At $38.3 million this year alone, Porter’s salary is considered inflated by many around the league. While expiring in 2027 helps, it still forces Golden State to absorb a large cap hit now, at a time when they already face expensive tax payments.

There is also a strategic dilemma: Are the Warriors trading for the player Porter is now, or the version Denver just moved off of?

Brooklyn has showcased him well, but the 

Nuggets had to attach an unprotected 2032 first to trade him this past offseason. His value fluctuates dramatically depending on role, health and team context.

Why the Nets Would Say Yes

From Brooklyn’s perspective, the trade actually makes a lot of sense.

• They add Kuminga, who offers high-upside athleticism and defensive versatility.

• They add Moody, a potential long-term scoring option.

• They get multiple draft assets.

• They can still flip Hield to a playoff team in need of shooting.

For a franchise retooling on the fly, that combination is appealing.

Is Porter the Answer the Warriors Are Searching For?

This is the biggest question.

Golden State wants more offense. They want quicker reads, stronger spacing and a scorer who can produce without Curry orchestrating every possession. Porter checks all of those boxes. He fits stylistically. He alleviates pressure. And he offers the kind of shot-making that can win playoff games.

But the cost is steep. The financial risk is real. And giving up two former lottery picks for a player Denver recently moved with a pick attached is a gamble that only makes sense if Golden State believes Porter’s surge in Brooklyn represents a new chapter, not a hot streak.

If the Warriors are truly desperate to jolt their offense — and they might be — this could be the kind of blockbuster move they entertain.

If not, Porter’s price will remain a dividing line between fans who want immediate improvement and those who prefer preserving the future.

Whatever side you fall on, the discussion itself reveals the truth. Golden State is searching for clarity, for structure, for someone who can ease the weight on Curry’s shoulders. Porter cannot fix everything, but he brings a part of what this team is missing. And if the Warriors are serious about honoring the final chapters of Stephen Curry’s brilliance, this is the type of swing they may need to take.