Houston Rockets: 3 trades that send Victor Oladipo to the Golden State Warriors

Houston Rockets: Victor Oladipo trade to the Golden State Warriors #1

This trade sees the Rockets send out both Victor Oladipo and P.J. Tucker to the Warriors for Andrew Wiggins and Minnesota’s 2021 first-round pick. This trade might be a bit too rich for the Warriors’ liking, but it raises their floor and ceiling this season in a way that no other single trade can.

Oladipo’s ability and impact for the Warriors raises their ceiling tremendously but Tucker also raises their floor. After Kelly Oubre, the Warriors don’t have many NBA-quality rotation options.

Tucker fills that void and his ability to play as a small-ball center or power-forward would allow the Warriors to play one of the fastest and most lethal lineups in the NBA. A unit that features Curry, Green, Oladipo, Oubre, and Tucker would be able to switch everything on the perimeter, defend the interior, and space the floor in a way that they’ve sorely missed this season.

The Warriors’ death-lineup when they were winning championships has been absent the past two seasons but this trade could bring it back. Much like in Star Wars, rebuilding the Death Star comes at a tremendous cost and in this case, it won’t be any different.

The Minnesota Timberwolves 2021 first-round pick is one of the most valuable trade chips in the entire league. It is top-four protected this season and unprotected next season, which means even if it doesn’t convey this season it still remains an incredibly valuable asset.

The Timberwolves could turn it around but with the way the franchise has faltered in recent years, there is a real chance that they’re just as miserable this season as next. The Rockets need every high-quality asset they can get and this one is the crown jewel.

Most of the Rockets’ assets are not going to convey for years and the team needs an immediate infusion of young talent. There is a risk that this pick doesn’t end up being as valuable as is hoped but to get it for two expiring deals is a risk the Rockets need to take.