Two Stats Show How Big of a Weakness This Is

The Warriors are 29th in points in the paint, averaging just 41.1 per game. If the season ended today, that would be second-lowest per-game total of the last five years.

That's the first glaring stat. But this next one might be more damning.

The Warriors have just three players averaging 4.0-plus points in the paint per game. Of the 30 teams in the NBA, 28 have at least five players averaging 4.0-plus. Only the Boston Celtics have as few as the Warriors.

There are two ways. First, the returning player could be a much more prolific paint scorer than Kuminga. For example, Ivica Zubac is averaging 14.7 points in the paint per game. If the Clippers are in sell mode by the February 5 trade deadline, the Warriors could target him with a Kuminga-plus-picks package.

The other way is the returning player could help create points in the paint for himself and his teammates.

Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 8.3 points in the paint per game, but he's also a feared three-pointer shooter who would create paint points with his gravity.

Domantas Sabonis is averaging 11.8 points in the paint per game, but he creates much more in dribble handoff sets and as a passer (career 4.9 assists per game).

Of these three, Zubac is the best fit because he's a much better defensively player than the other two.

GSW are 2nd lowest in points in the paint, and only have 3 players averaging 4.0 points in the paint. Solution? Trade JK for Zubac