Adding Hunter to the roster would really help the Warriors, especially without Butler in the fold. Hunter has been an odd fit with the Cavaliers when he has been in the starting lineup. Sending him to Golden State would help them figure out a better forward for them off the bench once they get healthy.
For the Warriors, adding Hunter would give them a solid defensive player who can help them on the perimeter. With him in the lineup, Golden State would be able to further solidify its defense. He’s also a much better 3-point shooter than he has shown so far this year in Cleveland.
Jackson-Davis has been out of the rotation for the last couple of years, so sending him to Phoenix wouldn’t hurt them at all. For Cleveland, adding some depth at forward would help them recover the loss of Hunter, and adding Richards at center stretches the bench.
GettyGolden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga shoots the ball. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Warriors Might Try to Keep Jonathan Kuminga
Now that Butler will miss the rest of the season, the Warriors might try to convince him to stay with the team. He could not just re-enter the rotation, but Steve Kerr could be inclined to start Kuminga with Butler hurt. That would certainly change Kuminga’s future.
Kuminga likely still wants out, though. He has wanted out for the last couple of seasons once he fell out of favor with Kerr. This injury situation doesn’t change how the Warriors view him. They would play him only out of necessity, and Kuminga wants to play for a team that wants to play him.
The Warriors will have a couple of weeks to find a new home for Kuminga before the trade deadline passes. That gives them a chance to reset and look for a way to move forward with Stephen Curry having to carry an oversized offensive burden.