Stephen Curry went down with a broken hand two nights ago. After a successful surgery he will still be out till at least February, how does this impact the Portland Trail Blazers and the western conference?
Golden State Warriors lynchpin Stephen Curry is now out till at least February. This injury is obviously devastating for the Warriors, but injuries are part of basketball and this represents an opportunity for other teams like the Portland Trail Blazers now. What are the immediate effects for the rest of the conference?
Trades
The first thing on most people’s lips after a serious injury to a team with no depth is a trade. Klay Thompson and Curry are both injured are untouchables in trades. It’s unlikely that Draymond Green is moved, leaving just D’Angelo Russell as potential trade bait. Russell can be traded prior to the trade deadline and could provide a strong return to the Warriors in way of salary relief and or picks. The Warriors wont be in the playoffs this year so wont be bothered by trading Russell to a competitor within the western conference. The Blazers aren’t in need of guard help so wont be putting their name in the hat for any Russell sweepstakes. There is a chance that another conference rival trades expiring contracts to the Warriors to upgrade their back court, but only the Minnesota Timberwolves have the need and the salaries to make it work.
Playoff competition
The Blazers have run into the Warriors in three of the last four years in the playoffs. These series have resulted in three straight losses with the Blazers only winning one in twelve games. Matchup wise this was a tough one, so Terry Stotts and co will obviously be happy to face someone else in the playoffs. The Warriors superior shooting with Curry and a potential return of Thompson would have been a stiff contest still this year. Though the Lakers and Clippers will still be a handful in the playoffs, teams with strong chemistry like the Blazers and Nuggets will be a test for the newly constructed teams.
Lottery
You can pretty safely say the Blazers wont be in the lottery this year. The Warriors though, who were struggling with Curry in the line-up are almost certain to be in the lottery this year. They have only Green and Russell as strong rotation players, while the rest of the roster resembles a G league team. They may decide to tank and improve their lottery pick, falling out of the playoff race.
Less competition in the west is great for the Blazers. The Warriors dominated the league for five years and now its someone else’s turn. The NBA is wide open and there will be a new western conference champion for the first time in six years. Maybe this is the year that the Blazers can crack the NBA finals again.