As the Golden State Warriors prepare for the 2025 offseason, they will likely take stock of the current roster. The Warriors have two clear needs this summer: add some additional scoring, and find a talented big man.
A recent trade proposal from Dean Simon of Sporting News helps solve the scoring part of Golden State’s equation. The proposed trade looks like this:
Warriors Get: Coby White
Bulls Get: Moses Moody, Gui Santos and a future first-round pick
“One area of the team that general manager Mike Dunleavy may look to address is their lack of pure scoring talent outside of Curry, namely at the guard position,” Simon wrote. “…White’s incredible ball-handling and ability to get to his spots could definitely pique the interests of Golden State and Dunleavy, especially due to his expiring $12 million salary for the 2025-26 campaign.”
White has arguably been the Chicago Bulls‘ best player over the past two seasons. However, his impending contract negotiations could lead the Bulls to explore a potential return on the trade market.
However, the Warriors would likely want assurances that White would re-sign with the franchise. Furthermore, re-signing White could get expensive pretty quickly, and it must be a wrinkle for the Warriors to consider in this hypothetical situation.
White had a strong season for Chicago, in 74 games he averaged 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 45.3% from the field and 37% from 3-point range.
Warriors Could Prioritize Frontcourt Additions
Golden State’s lack of size could lead Mike Dunleavy Jr. to focus on front-court additions this summer. Should that be the case, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes has cited Trey Murphy III as an ambitious but ideal target.
“Inked to a team-friendly four-year, $112 million extension that’ll keep him underpaid through his mid-20s, the rangy wing averaged a career-high 21.2 points and 3.5 assists per game last year,” Hughes wrote. “A good defender who can also attack the rim at high altitude, Murphy is a career 38.3 percent long-range sniper whose only real question mark is health…Almost any deal would have to involve Brandin Podziemski, whom Golden State was loath to move last summer.”
Murphy would be a major coup for Golden State. He would plug multiple gaps in the roster and provide long-term upside for an aging roster. However, the Warriors wouldn’t be the only team to show interest in Murphy if he became available. Therefore, Golden State could find themselves in a bidding war.
Bobby Portis is Another Option for the Warriors
Another option for the Golden State would be Bobby Portis. The former NBA champion has a $13.5 million player option for next season. If he declines those options, he could hit the unrestricted free agency market this summer.
“Team executives expect Portis to have numerous potential landing spots in the midlevel market as well, although Milwaukee would like to bring back the 30-year-old forward, sources say,” Jake Fischer reported. “Golden State has always been a team to monitor for Portis, who has a notable fan in head coach Steve Kerr from their shared days during the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition with USA Basketball.”
Should Portis become available, he could be a strong addition to Golden State’s roster. He would fit the current timeline and solve some issues within the rotation. So, while Simon’s idea of adding White is a fun one, the more logical expectation is that Golden State prioritizes adding size this summer, and Portis could be the most viable option.
