3 Stars, Featured in Mike Dunleavy’s Trade List, Put Warriors’ “Glaring Issues” on Display vs Clippers

Free throws, as simple as they seem, have proven to be a challenge even for the best players. While it may appear easy to make a shot from the free-throw line, even top teams like the Golden State Warriors have faced struggles. In the 2017-18 season, the Warriors boasted an impressive 81.5% free-throw shooting percentage. However, their current free-throw percentage has dropped to 69.7%, which could be a concern as the team looks to make a deep playoff run. Despite a strong 10-3 record, ranking second in the Western Conference, their struggles from the free-throw line were evident in a recent loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

In response to the team’s need for a second star player, Mike Dunleavy Jr. has been reportedly working on a trade list, with Giannis Antetokounmpo emerging as a potential target. However, with free-throw issues continuing to plague them, the Warriors’ weaknesses were exposed during their defeat at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome.

Stephen Curry has expressed that securing his fifth NBA title is a priority, which would elevate his legacy even further. In a lighthearted moment, he even joked about preferring his fifth title over a Masters title. But with their current struggles at the free-throw line, the Warriors must focus on improvement. Here’s a list of players who missed free throws in the loss to the Clippers:

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Andrew Wiggins- 2Jonathan Kuminga – 3Draymond Green – 1Trayce Jackson-Davis – 2Brandin Podziemski – 2It’s a total of 10 missed free throws in the game and the Warriors lost the game by just 3 points. Those free throws could hurt the team in the playoffs, there’s no question about it. Adding a touch of irony, Dunleavy had already included Wiggins, Kuminga, and Poziemski, the players who missed free throws, on his list. “We’ve gotta work on it, obviously,” Kerr said. “Our guys have to get in the gym and find their rhythm, find their confidence from the line for sure.”

The Warriors’ key player, Green, also mentioned the wretched free-throw shooting percentage. “It’s an issue. You gotta make free throws if you want to win at a high level in this league. Going 9 for 19, I think in the last two games, we missed 13 or 14 of them. It is an issue we’re going to correct,” said Green. All in all, the Golden State Warriors must improve to push for the title and keep Stephen Curry’s Masters and 5th NBA title hopes alive.

Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors intensify amidst Golden State Warriors’ free-throw troublesSignificantly, we know Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to exit the Milwaukee Bucks. They have dropped down in the standings and the Bucks look set for a rebuild. Most of their players are old and they need fresh young talent. If Dunleavy could negotiate a deal with the Bucks, they have three players who could transform their franchise. Of course, the Warriors would need to send in some draft picks to complete the deal.

But if free throws remain the riddle for the Golden State Warriors, bringing in Giannis doesn’t paint a pretty picture. The player has a career 70 FT% rate. Aside from the final game of the NBA title run in 2021, where Giannis shot 17 of 19 free throws for the Bucks, those statistics do not make anyone eager to bring him to San Francisco.

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Hence, signing Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t improve the free-throw percentage. But don’t get me wrong. The starting 5 improves drastically with Draymond and Giannis manning the front court.

Dunleavy has a task in his hands. Either stick with the players he has on the team or get in Giannis by trading those players mentioned above. It’s a tricky trade for both teams, but if it happens, just brilliant!