SAN FRANCISCO -- With the trade deadline more than a month away, coach Steve Kerr says he wants to see what this roster can do over the next month to assess what the Golden State Warriors have before making any potential move.
"I've talked to [GM Mike Dunleavy Jr.] about that, and I think that makes perfect sense," Kerr said before the Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 121-113 on Saturday. "We've been up and down this year, but we like the group, we like the people we have, and we really want to see how we play over the next month and then just keep our options open.
"We're not in a position to say, 'Hey, we're good enough. Let's just stand firm.' We have to assess all the options. ... For me, it's let's see what we can do in these next few weeks, and hopefully we settle into this rotation, start shooting the ball better."
Kerr's comments come as trade rumors have been swirling around the franchise. ESPN's Shams Charania reported Thursday that Jimmy Butler indicated he wants to be traded and that Butler is open to trade destinations such as the Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets. The Heat suspended Butler for "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team" on Friday.
After trading for Dennis Schroder in mid-December, Dunleavy said the organization will remain aggressive looking for trade possibilities to improve the team. But he has said since training camp that it would take a franchise-altering type of deal to part with many of the team's young assets such as Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski.
The Warriors, who have won three of the past four games, want to maximize the title-contending window for Stephen Curry and Draymond Green but also groom Kuminga, Podziemski and Moses Moody for their future. The Warriors also like the depth they have knowing they have to maintain Curry's and Green's health throughout the season. Curry sat out Saturday's game, the first of a home back-to-back, with tendinitis in his knees, but Kerr said the franchise star won't sit out a game during every back-to-back.
"Not necessarily for the rest of the year but during this stretch where the knee tendinitis has been a factor," Kerr said. "The training staff feels strongly that for right now it makes the most sense to not play him in back-to-backs. But that could change as we go."
Kerr could have a healthier roster soon. Gary Payton II, who has been out with a calf injury, has been cleared to resume on-court workouts and will be reevaluated in a week. Podziemski remains out with abdominal tightness.
After starting the season 12-3, the Warriors lost 12 of their next 15 games. However, the Warriors are on a strong stretch heading into Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings. They shot 60.9% in a 139-105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, leading into Saturday's win over the Grizzlies. In that home victory, Andrew Wiggins scored 24 points and Schroder added 17.
"I think with Dennis in the mix now we have a chance to really be a great defensive team again," Kerr said. "Like we were early in the year. And if we can put it together, then we may not need to do anything [trade-wise]. But we definitely need to take this next month and really see what we have."