Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Friday, November 8th.

The Golden State Warriors are off to a scorching 7-1 start to begin the season. Much of their success can be attributed to their unconventionally deep rotation, with head coach Steve Kerr sometimes playing as many as 11 to 12 players big minutes on a given night.

While this depth has been valuable, especially in light of injuries to key players like Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins, some would argue that it could also be Golden State’s ticket to landing a second star that would propel them into legitimate title contenders.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently suggested that the Warriors could be in line for a “big trade” this season, adding fuel to the speculation about a potential blockbuster move.

"The Warriors are the biggest candidate in my mind to make a big trade. They tried to trade for LeBron James last trade deadline… This is a team that's got an itchy trigger finger trying to make a big deal."

– Brian Windhorst 👀pic.twitter.com/0wYql9bYW4

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 7, 2024

While the allure of adding another star is tempting, the Warriors seem more likely to ride their current momentum rather than rush into a trade. The depth has been pivotal to their strong start, so it makes sense that any major roster shakeup would come closer to the NBA Trade Deadline—when Golden State, along with the rest of the league, will have a clearer picture of their postseason needs.

For now, they’re sticking with what’s working, enjoying the benefits of a deep, versatile squad that keeps them competitive on any given night.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, November 8th:

Warriors News:

Windy believes Warriors top candidate to make ‘big trade’ at deadline | NBC Sports Bay Area

But is the early success sustainable, and is it enough for Mike Dunleavy, Joe Lacob and Co.?

Windhorst was asked if there are any specific players he has heard the Warriors might have their eye on, to which he responded we should “wait and see.” However, he doubled down on his belief that they would be a team to watch over the next few months.

“I just know that it’s something they’ve kicked around,” Windhorst said. “So they’re a team that not only has so much going on for them right now, but they have what’s needed to potentially make a trade later.”

Stephen Curry and the Warriors prove their viability in a big test vs. Celtics | The Athletic

The defensive identity is visibly forming.

“Just our activity,” Kevon Looney said. “We were flying around. We were real physical. They missed some shots. They missed some 3s. But we made them uncomfortable. I feel like we were able to get them off their spots and they weren’t able to get a rhythm.”

It’s evident in Curry, too. Because of the depth, he can be fresh enough to play both ends with focus and relentlessness. Because he doesn’t have to force the action and can let the offense take the rock where it may, he can pick his spots instead of feeling the need to save them.

So when the end of the game came, he was able to do to Boston what he does to Boston.

Curry’s national TV season debut gives slumping NBA a boost | Sports Media Watch

Wednesday’s Warriors-Celtics NBA regular season game averaged a 1.2 rating and 2.14 million viewers on ESPN, marking the most-watched NBA game in the two weeks since Opening Night and an increase of 30% from Spurs-Knicks in the same window last year (1.65M).

The Warriors’ win, which peaked with 2.51 million viewers in the 9:45 PM ET quarter-hour, also marked an increase of 77% from the average of ESPN games the first two weeks this season (1.21M).

Draymond Green breaks down his viral in-game moment with former Warrior Jordan Poole

“My man just pointed at me like I was guarding him”@money23green explains his back-and-forth with Jordan Poole to @barondavis & @FredVanVleet pic.twitter.com/jkgCZ2xtU6

— The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis (@DraymondShow) November 7, 2024

What did Warriors’ Steve Kerr tell his team the day after Donald Trump’s win? | San Francisco Chronicle

“I want (Trump) to do well the next four years. I want our country to do well,” said Kerr, who endorsed Harris in August at the Democratic National Convention.

Kerr, speaking sarcastically, said “I’m thankful there wasn’t any voting fraud this time. Last time, I mean, all those illegal immigrants who crashed the border, raped and murdered people and then voted six times — that was unfortunate. But thankfully this time, everything was clean. It’s great that every election has been valid except for that last one four years ago.”

With a subtle smile and a “twinkle in my eye as I say that in case you couldn’t see it,” he added, “I believe in democracy. I believe in the will of the people and I will do everything I can to support my country and our government and I want nothing but the best for us. And it’s a complex world and we’ve got a lot of interesting stuff between wars abroad and the global economy that has shifted everything in terms of what it means for our citizens and their day-to-day lives.”

NBA News:

Andre Jackson Jr.’s move into starting 5 helps Bucks top Jazz | ESPN

Milwaukee altered its starting group for the first time this season, inserting second-year wing Andre Jackson Jr. to replace Gary Trent Jr. Jackson, who turns 23 next week, had 7 points, 4 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes.

“He brings energy,” Antetokounmpo said of Jackson’s presence in the starting lineup. “He plays his ass off, guards the best player. We play faster. He was incredible today. We definitely need that. We need that spark. We need to play with that energy.”

Queta Emerging as Impact Player on Both Ends | NBA

Queta has been one of Boston’s better defenders this season. His defensive rating of 95.4 is by far the best mark of any Celtic averaging at least 15 minutes per game. No other Boston player is within 10 points of that mark.

Queta also has the best net rating on the team with a mark of 22.7. Even in Wednesday’s loss, he had a net rating of 21.1.

That’s not far off from the 20.4 net rating that he logged last season. However, last season, he was playing more garbage-time minutes.

76ers’ Tyrese Maxey is expected to miss a ‘couple of weeks’ due to a hamstring injury injury

Just In: Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Tyrese Maxey is expected to miss a couple of weeks because of a right hamstring injury, sources told ESPN. Full evaluation coming later Thursday but sides are bracing for Maxey’s absence. Sixers will take careful approach with the injury. pic.twitter.com/sPxFnsylYF

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 7, 2024

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors’ defense sets the tone as Steve Kerr pushes the right buttons to seal the deal against the Celtics

However, the Warriors have used their trapping scheme to set the tone for the rest of their defensive efforts in a given game. Trapping (otherwise known as “blitzing” or “doubling around a screen”) has its pros and cons, just like all pick-and-roll coverages. It can engender high energy, high awareness, and promote full focus and intensity out of the gates. It can expose ball handlers who aren’t the most astute decision makers when placed into sticky situations. At the very least, it can take the ball out of their hands and funnel the decision-making and scoring responsibilities onto someone who isn’t as capable in those departments. It can speed up teams who prefer to play a slow and methodical half-court game, forcing them into mistakes they’re not accustomed to making.

A tweet to end the week:

Steve Kerr's message to the team ahead of tonight's matchup with the Celtics:

"I just told them in our meeting this morning let's make America great again and beat the Celtics tonight." 😂 pic.twitter.com/tEpzHY9kpF

— KNBR (@KNBR) November 7, 2024