Warriors Pursue Athletic Center Trades Before Deadline

The Golden State Warriors are actively pursuing trades for an athletic center ahead of the February 5 NBA deadline, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, as the team addresses persistent weaknesses in rebounding, rim protection and interior scoring.

Haynes, appearing on the NBA on Prime telecast, outlined the Warriors' search for size and athleticism to bolster their frontcourt. The team ranks 19th in rebounds per game at 43.5, 22nd in blocks at 4.3 and last in points in the paint at 41.4, despite holding the league's third-best defensive rating of 111.4. "The Warriors are buyers," Haynes said. "I was told they are looking for size and athleticism. Rebounding and blocking shots, they're in the bottom half of the league. And points in the paint, they are dead last. So they're looking for an athletic center."

Sources identified three potential targets: Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton and Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III. Each player fits the profile of a rim-running, shot-blocking defender who could complement the Warriors' core of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Gafford, 26, has provided steady production for Dallas,...