The Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac may be the answer the Golden State Warriors are looking for to bolster their
defense, as the team was recently linked to the injured forward in a report.
The Magic are interested in Warrior point-guard Chris Paul, as well as another veteran in the recently dealt Kyle
Lowry, according to Action Network’s Matt Moore. Teams interested in the 38-year-old Paul and his expiring
contract are unlikely to be discouraged by the fact that he is currently out following a hand fracture sustained against
the Detroit Pistons on January 5.
The interest Golden State has shown in Isaac, a 26-year-old who has been one of the league’s biggest “what-ifs” in
recent years, is perhaps the most noteworthy revelation from Moore’s story. With a wingspan of 7’1″ and a height of
6’10”, Isaac has earned the moniker “Minister of Defense” by being recognized as one of the NBA’s finest defenders
when healthy.
With just 76 games played since the 2019–20 season began, health has regrettably always been an unknown. Moore
adds that if a trade were to occur, the Magic would be interested in Moses Moody, a third-year warrior wing.
This season, Isaac has participated in 31 of the 49 games that may be played, including 10 of the final 11. Even though
he only plays 14.1 minutes a night on average, his defense is still a major factor in Orlando’s fifth-place finish in the
league. Isaac is shooting 46.6% from the field but only 28.8% from three-point range. In a game, he averages 6.2
points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks. Prior to the ACL injury, he had his greatest season in 2019–20,
averaging 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, an incredible 1.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks in 34 games.
There is a big difference in the contracts of the former sixth overall pick and Paul because he is making $17.4 million
this season and has one more year at that salary. Markelle Fultz, a former first overall selection, is one player who
might theoretically make up the wage differential.
Before the NBA trade deadline on February 8, Paul, Moody, and 2022 All-Star Andrew Wiggins continue to be the
major players to keep an eye on from a Golden State perspective.
The veteran forward’s season took a new turn on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks, as he sustained a left ankle
injury that prevented him from playing in the second half of the team’s 141-134 overtime loss at State Farm Arena.
The 2022 All-Star has had a difficult season, and even though he has recently returned to the starting lineup and
played better, it is still far from certain that he will stay with the Warriors after the trade deadline on February 8.
Despite Wiggins’ declining trade value due to his worst-ever play this season, Action Network’s Matt Moore said on
Saturday that the Dallas Mavericks are still interested in adding the Canadian.
When Wiggins is at his best, his three-and-D repertoire fits in well with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. The Mavericks
will surely think back to Wiggins’ huge contribution in guarding Doncic during Golden State’s 4-1 series victory in
the 2022 Western Conference Finals. The second query is: Is there anything Dallas might offer the Warriors in a
possible trade? Moore notes that the Mavericks are looking for a more reliable alternative than Grant Williams, thus
it’s possible that the former forward for the Celtics would be included in the trade.
Williams’ salary this season is only $12.4 million, which is almost half of Wiggins’ $24.3 million deal. Thus, one of
Richaun Holmes or Maxi Kleber could need to be added, though neither of the backup big men would probably be of
much interest to Golden State.
Tim Hardaway Jr. might be of interest to the Warriors, but it might be tough for the Mavericks to part with a guy
who averages more than 18 points per contest. Another player Golden State would be interested in is Josh Green, but
due to his poison-pill contract, it would be very difficult to include him in any trade. In any Wiggins-to-Dallas trade,
it’s hard to see where the Warriors would prevail, especially considering how valuable his perimeter defense was on
show on Saturday when he wasn’t playing.
