The Golden State Warriors are doing all they can to be buyers during this NBA offseason. The team is just a player or two away from being true contenders in the Western Conference. With youth to build off of, the Warriors are targeting a few key assets this offseason in hopes of acquiring someone via trade. If Kevin Love is not an option then who is?
According to Chris Broussard of ESPN.com, the Warriors are putting their names in the hat for a trade involving Jeremy Lin and possibly signing Chandler Parsons along with him. The Houston Rockets are trying to clear salary cap space in order to try and sign either LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony or both. Getting rid of Lin's contract would be welcomed for the team. As they continue to try and escalate a deal involving Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans, a deal for Lin would be the final piece of the financial puzzle.
The Warriors have attempted several times to acquire Love in a deal. They have offered David Lee and Harrison Barnes plus a draft pick for the forward. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves will only make a deal if Klay Thompson is involved. The Warriors pulled negotiations off the table. As a result, they are targeting a similar player that would be easier to acquire.
Parsons is a restricted free agent and while the Rockets would like to retain him by matching any offer, if they have the chance to sign Anthony and James instead, Parsons is gone. Houston is desperate to clear cap space so if they have to sacrifice Parsons then so be it. Getting Lin off the books is essential to their free agency plans. Golden State is one of the first teams to actually show interest in the point guard.
Getting Parsons would get the Warriors a sharp shooter and let them part with Thompson if need be. Lin would be an excellent point guard off the bench to help give players like Stephen Curry a break while not losing any scoring in the process. Asik is gone and the Rockets remain confident that Lin is right behind him. Losing Parsons is a risk, but getting James and Anthony is a nice return.
