They keep phoning in NBA trades

After breathlessly detailing each and every NBA trade deadline online since 1998, it is fair to conclude I’ve developed some advantage in these observations. And my lesson above any other is that it is really, really hard to be an NBA general manager.

How hard? The Golden State Warriors were only able to secure the expiring contracts of Jim Jackson and Clarence Weatherspoon in exchange for Joe Smith today at the trade deadline. Smith, an impending free agent and No. 1 overall pick in the draft three years ago, led the Warriors in points and rebounds.

Sorry, sometimes this stuff just tumbles out.

The Golden State Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler on Wednesday but had to give up on Andrew Wiggins along the way. The Warriors also ran out Kyle Anderson before the Warriors could get the best out of Slo-Mo, Golden State’s treasured 2024 free agent acquisition.

The Warriors signed Jimmy to a two-year, $121 million extension past this season, ensuring he’ll make nearly twice as much as Wiggins’ 2026-27 player option. Whiffing on Anderson is a setback, as is giving up on Wiggins’ two-way production for Butler, a superior though unique performer.

Golden State also sends Dennis Schröder to Utah (soon to be waived) and Lindy Waters III to Detroit.

The Warriors (currently projected to select No. 12 in this June’s NBA draft) shipped along a top-ten protected first-round draft pick in this June’s draft to Miami. Personally, I would not have done that.