NBA simulation trading: The Warriors get Markanen, Dream Green joins the Detroit Pistons

The Golden State Warriors reportedly seek a roster upgrade centered on Stephen Curry in the offseason. Their main needs include increased center depth, wing organization and offensive shooting points. Jimmy Butler's joining at the 2025 trading deadline exhausted the Warriors' strength in these areas. However, Butler's lack of scoring has also attracted attention.

Curry was out of the final four games against the Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs, and Butler was unable to improve his performance like he did in the two finals in Miami.

When he was on the court with Curry, his gravity helped create opportunities for Curry, and the Warriors needed Butler's data contribution in the absence of the leader. In the regular season, he averaged 17.5 points per game, shot 50.4% from the field (30.8% from three-point shooting), averaged 19.2 points per game, and shot 44.7% from the field (30.6% from three-point shooting). It's obvious that they need to get better output from option 2. The Warriors are still unlikely to move away from Butler because the six-time All-Star player has no market after a few months at Golden State, especially with his salary of $54.1 million. However, the prospect of trading Drummond Green can be tempting as a better second is needed after Curry.

Before next year's playoffs, Butler and Drummond Green will be 36 and Curry will be 38, so the core collective age makes Green a compelling reason for trading chips. The trio has performed very well, but it remains to be seen whether they can stay elite in the 82-game season and beyond April. In addition, Green and Butler are not very efficient together.

According to NBA.com, the Warriors' frontcourt duo has a net efficiency of -4.4 and an offensive efficiency of 105.2, making it the worst in the two-man lineup with at least 200 minutes of playing time in the playoffs. With Butler, the Warriors can organize offenses in the frontcourt without Green, and Green is also limited in terms of game scores.

The Golden State Warriors have four draft picks to trade, like Moses Moody and Jonathan Kumingga (signed deal). Joining a veteran like Drummond Green, the inductee of the Year’s Defensive Player of the Year, has brought huge upgrade opportunities for the Warriors.

NBA mock trade: How the Warriors get Laurie Markanen with Drummond Green's huge deal

Throughout the 2024-25 season, the Warriors have been linked with Laurie Markanen until they finally finalized Jimmy Butler by the deadline. Markkanen renewed his contract with the Utah Jazz, but remains a prominent name in the NBA trade rumors. The 28-year-old may not fit the Jazz's schedule, which could create a chance for teams like the Warriors to trade with them.

direct exchange is possible, but the Jazz may not want to exchange with Drummond Green. The Warriors can win over Green's hometown team Pistons in this deal and send him to an East team that needs him. The Warriors can also choose underrated big men like Isaiah Stewart in exchange to further strengthen their frontcourt. Here is a potential deal to send Markanen to the Warriors and Green to the Pistons:

The Warriors get:

Laurie Markanen

Isaiah Stewart

Simon Fontechio

Jazz get:

Jonathan Kumingga (signed to trade $100 million/4 years)

Moses Moody

Warriors 2026 first-round draft pick

Warriors 2028 first-round draft pick

Jazz 2027 second-round draft pick

Pistons get:

Draymond Green

Warriors get:

Draymond Green

The Warriors get younger and have added another offensive weapon - Markanen. The Jazz added high-potential players like Kumingga and Moody, who are much younger than Markkanen and have two first-round picks and a second-round pick.

Pistons have gained a veteran like Dream Green, who provides championship experience and locker room leadership that can help the team take the next step under the young core.

Detroit exchanged a second-round pick for DreamGreen, and the Warriors transferred the pick to the Jazz in exchange for Markanen's deal.

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