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Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
9 Best Centers Golden State Warriors Could Realistically Acquire: One Blockbuster Trade Could Shock NBA World
The Golden State Warriors' 2024-25 season concluded with a disappointing 4–1 series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals. Despite a strong Game 1 performance, the absence of Stephen Curry due to a hamstring injury and the team's aging roster were evident as they dropped the next four games. Veteran players like Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler showed signs of wear, and the team's reliance on small-ball lineups exposed their vulnerability in the paint. One glaring issue was the lack of a dominant presence at the center position because their current rotation wasn't great, with a ton of pressure on Green to hold down the fort. Advertisement Averaging just 4.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per game, veteran center Kevon Looney's impact waned, and with his contract expiring this summer, the Warriors will likely let him walk. Even Trayce Jackson-Davis, who averaged 6.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game this season, has not won over Steve Kerr's confidence. As the Warriors aim to maximize the remaining prime years of their veteran core, acquiring a new starting center becomes imperative. Luckily, we have explored nine realistic center options the Warriors could pursue to strengthen their roster at the center spot and make a significant impact in the upcoming season. 1. Joel Embiid Dec 6, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) celebrates after scoring his 50th point of the game against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Golden State Warriors Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade), Trayce Jackson-Davis, Brandin Podziemski, 2028 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2031 First-Round Pick (GSW) Acquiring Joel Embiid would be a seismic move for the Warriors, pairing Stephen Curry with a dominant center for the first time in his career. Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game during the 2024-25 season, though he was limited to 19 games due to a persistent left knee injury. Advertisement His presence would provide the Warriors with a formidable inside-out duo, potentially revitalizing their championship aspirations, and we expect Steve Kerr to figure out how to make it all work. Sure, Embiid's health and substantial contract, $55.2 million for the 2025–26 season, pose significant risks, but he is a former MVP who is only 31 years old. The proposed trade would require the Warriors to part with promising talents like Jonathan Kuminga, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Brandin Podziemski, along with first-round picks. While the upside is immense, the Warriors must weigh the potential rewards against the risks of Embiid's injury history and the financial implications of his contract. 2. Jaren Jackson Jr. Apr 1, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) dribbles during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Golden State Warriors Receive: Jaren Jackson Jr. Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade), Moses Moody, 2031 First-Round Pick (GSW) Jaren Jackson Jr. offers the Warriors a younger, more durable option at center. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. His defensive prowess, highlighted by his finish in the top five of Defensive Player of the Year voting, would bolster the Warriors' interior defense. Advertisement Jackson's contract is more manageable, with a salary of $23.4 million for the 2025–26 season before free agency hits. The trade would involve sending Kuminga, Moses Moody, and a draft pick to the Grizzlies, a franchise that might want to make changes after another difficult season. Jackson's ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim aligns well with the Warriors' system, making him a valuable addition to their roster because he is the perfect modern big man. Out of all the big men, Jackson Jr. is one of the best who fit their system. 3. Myles Turner Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Golden State Warriors Receive: Myles Turner (Sign-and-Trade) Indiana Pacers Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade), 2028 First-Round Pick (GSW) If the Indiana Pacers fail to make the NBA Finals, they could be willing to listen to sign-and-trade offers for Myles Turner. Turner presents a balanced option, combining shot-blocking and three-point shooting. Advertisement He averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game in the 2024-25 season, and his defensive capabilities would address the Warriors' need for interior protection. As he approaches free agency this summer, Turner is a cost-effective option if he agrees to a long-term, team-friendly deal. The trade would involve Kuminga and a first-round pick, contingent on the Pacers' playoff performance. Turner's skill set complements the Warriors' style, offering both defensive stability and offensive spacing, and he has the right attitude after years of competing in the playoffs with Indiana. 4. Nic Claxton Apr 13, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) shoots the ball as New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa (5) defends during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Golden State Warriors Receive: Nic Claxton Brooklyn Nets Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade) Nic Claxton is an emerging defensive anchor, averaging 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game in the 2024-25 season. His athleticism and shot-blocking would enhance the Warriors' defense far more than just Draymond Green could do. A pairing of Green and Claxton would be very difficult to score on. Advertisement Claxton's salary of $25.4 million for the 2025–26 season is a significant investment. Acquiring him would likely require trading Kuminga, and hoping Claxton could give Curry, Butler, and Green the right intangibles for them defensively and on the boards. Claxton's fit within the Warriors' system depends on his ability to adapt to their offensive schemes, but his defensive impact could be substantial. We expect Steve Kerr to operate Claxton in a similar role as Looney in terms of setting picks and rolling to the rim in limited spurts. 5. Walker Kessler Jan 9, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn ImagesCredit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Golden State Warriors Receive: Walker Kessler Utah Jazz Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade) Walker Kessler offers a cost-effective solution, with a salary of $2.97 million for the 2024-25 season. He averaged 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, ranking fifth in the league in rebounding. Kessler's rebounding and shot-blocking would address the Warriors' interior and would form a hellacious defense alongside Draymond Green. Advertisement Trading for Kessler would involve sending Kuminga to the Jazz. His low salary ($4,878,938 next season) provides financial flexibility, allowing the Warriors to strengthen other areas of their roster. Kessler's defensive presence and growth potential make him an appealing option who can be acquired without too much of an investment. 6. Clint Capela Jan 25, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) inbounds the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Golden State Warriors Receive: Clint Capela (Sign-and-Trade), 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2029 Second-Round Pick (ATL) Atlanta Hawks Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade) Clint Capela brings veteran experience and rebounding prowess, averaging 8.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in the 2024-25 season, making him a solid sign-and-trade option. As he heads to free agency, the big man will look to join a championship contender to provide rim-running, rebounding, and rim protection. Advertisement Acquiring Capela would likely require the Warriors trading Kuminga, but if the Hawks add two first-round picks, then it's a no-brainer deal for Golden State. Capela's ability to protect the rim and finish around the basket would benefit the Warriors, and while his limited offensive range may affect the team's spacing, this could be a sneaky smart deal by the Warriors. 7. Mark Williams Apr 6, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) reacts to an official's call during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Spectrum Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Golden State Warriors Receive: Mark Williams Charlotte Hornets Receive: Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis Mark Williams is a young, cost-controlled center with a salary of $6.3 million next season. His defensive potential and rebounding skills make him an intriguing prospect, which is why the Los Angeles Lakers tried to acquire him before this season's trade deadline, before backing out due to 'cold feet'. Advertisement Trading for Williams would involve negotiations with the Charlotte Hornets, potentially including draft picks or young players. His development trajectory aligns with the Warriors' need for a long-term solution at center, and it would not require more than a package involving Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis (sign-and-trade). 8. Daniel Gafford Jan 12, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) dunks the ball during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Proposed Trade Details Golden State Warriors Receive: Daniel Gafford Dallas Mavericks Receive: Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II (Sign-and-Trade) Daniel Gafford offers athleticism and efficiency, averaging 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game with a 70.2% field goal percentage in the 2024-25 season. His salary of $14.4 million for the 2025–26 season is reasonable, but the big man will be looking to get paid once his contract is up. Advertisement He might not get that with the Mavericks, who already have Anthony Davis and will likely draft Cooper Flagg. Gafford's rim-running ability and defensive presence would complement the Warriors' style of play, so the team might be willing to negotiate a long-term deal to keep Gafford in Golden State. 9. Brook Lopez Nov 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) celebrates after hitting a three point basket during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Brook Lopez provides veteran leadership and floor spacing, averaging 13.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in the 2024-25 season. His experience and shooting range would benefit the Warriors' offense because he shot 37.3% from deep and also added 1.9 blocks per game. With Lopez heading to free agency and the fact that the Bucks could be imploding, he may be willing to sign a veteran minimum deal to join a contender. His presence would add depth and versatility to the Warriors' frontcourt, and he would fit perfectly alongside Draymond Green. Related: Warriors Unlikely To Re-Sign Young Star And Two Important Players
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Best Timberwolves vs. Warriors Player Props, ATS Bets: Wolves Seek 3-1 Lead
Julius Randle and the Timberwolves are coming off a 102-97 win in Game 3 and seeking to take a 3-1 lead in Game 4 of their matchup vs. the Warriors tonight. Julius Randle and the Timberwolves are coming off a 102-97 win in Game 3 and seeking to take a 3-1 lead in Game 4 of their matchup vs. the Warriors tonight. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. With Stephen Curry out of the lineup for the Warriors (7), their defense has played well enough to keep two of their first three Western Conference Semifinal games vs. the Wolves (6) close. But despite entering the fourth quarter of Game 3 with a 73-69 lead on Saturday night, the Warriors struggled to get stops down the stretch, especially over the final 4:38 after Draymond Green left the game following his sixth foul. The Warriors were able to keep Game 3 close thanks to Jimmy Butler III (33 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) and Jonathan Kuminga (30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists), but they'll need much more offensively from Brandin Podziemski and Draymond Green, who combined for 7 points in Game 3, to even the series tonight. Wolves vs. Warriors Game 4 Betting Odds DK FD bet365 MIN spread -5.5 (-110) -5 (-112) -5 (-110) GSW spread +5.5 (-110) +5 (-108) +5 (-110) MIN ML -225 -210 -220 GSW ML +185 +176 +180 Total 199.5 (o-110; u-110) 200.5 (o-112; u-108) 200.5 (o-110; u-110) How to Watch Timberwolves vs. Warriors Game 4 Tipoff: 10 p.m. ET Channel: ESPN Timberwolves vs. Warriors Series Winner Odds (as of May 12) DraftKings : MIN -800; GSW +550 : MIN -800; GSW +550 FanDuel: MIN -900; GSW +610 Wolves vs. Warriors Game 4 Player Props Jonathan Kuminga Over 17.5 Points (-110 at DraftKings) -- 1 unit The Western Conference Semifinals went sideways for the Warriors before halftime of Game 1, as Stephen Curry left the series opener in the second quarter (even though they ended up winning that game anyway). With Curry out of the lineup due to his hamstring injury and Golden State now holding longer than 5-to-1 odds to advance, Kuminga's play has been by far the biggest positive development for the Curry-less Warriors. The up-and-down fourth-year forward was out of the rotation for most of the first-round series between the Warriors and Rockets. He was huge for Golden State in Game 3, though, with 30 points in 35 minutes. He also finished that game as the only Warrior with a positive plus-minus, at +5, which all but guarantees him another heavy workload in Game 4. Based on his usage rate of 25 percent or greater in all three games in this series -- including 28.8 in Game 3 -- Kuminga should once again have the ball in his hands a ton tonight. If his usage rate is 25 percent or higher, again, in extended minutes, another 20-point night should be well within reach. So, in addition to taking Kuminga to go over 17.5 points, also consider Kuminga 20+ points. This prop is particularly tempting at +146 at FanDuel given that DraftKings lists it at +100 as of Monday afternoon. Wolves vs. Warriors Game 4 Pick, Best Bets We wrote before Game 3 that it didn't feel like this version of the Warriors could score enough to take down the Wolves. That nearly backfired after Butler and Kuminga came out hot. But Minnesota, which has made a habit of finishing strong in the playoffs, outscored Golden State 33-24 to go up 2-1. The Timberwolves have now won the fourth quarter in all of their playoff games, and they've done so by a margin of at least six in seven of their eight postseason contests to date. The Wolves outscored the Lakers in the fourth quarter by a total of 42 points across five games, and they've outscored the Warriors by 22 total points through three games, as detailed below: Game 1: MIN 28, GSW 19 (+9) Game 2: MIN 32, GSW 28 (+4) Game 3: MIN 33, GSW 24 (+9) With Golden State leaning heavily on veterans Butler and Draymond Green, I expect the Wolves to once again own the fourth quarter tonight. That should allow them to cover this spread, even if it's tight (and/or the Warriors are ahead) entering the fourth. And if you're wondering whether it's possible to take an alt spread for a particular quarter, I have great news for you: MIN 4th Quarter -3.5 is available at +157 at DraftKings. Wolves vs. Warriors Game 4 Best Bets: Wolves -5.5 (-110 at bet365) -- 1 unit Wolves 4th Quarter Alt Spread -3.5 (+157 at DK) -- 0.5 units Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors could acquire $101,355,998 Los Angeles Lakers superstar to form Big 3 with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler
The Golden State Warriors face an uncertain future after a challenging playoff run. is nearing the end of his of his illustrious career and so is Jonathan Kuminga. Even though they acquired Jimmy Butler earlier this year, their path to the Western Conference could look bleak given the injuries that these players succumb to. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Could a blockbuster move for a Lakers superstar change their fortunes next season? (Disclaimer: The information and analysis presented in this article are based on current speculations. While the details are sourced from credible insights, it's important to note that these are not confirmed moves or official statements. Readers are encouraged to take this analysis with a grain of salt and stay tuned for official updates as the offseason unfolds.) LeBron James to the Golden State Warriors? NBA Insider Weighs In recently suggested that the Golden State Warriors might pursue forward LeBron James this offseason. James, a four-time NBA champion, could provide Golden State with much-needed frontcourt size and experience. Kirschenbaum noted: "(LeBron) James has long been linked to Golden State, in part because his rivalry against Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green (they've played each other in five playoff series, during which James has gone 2-3) eventually blossomed into a bromance." However, age and injury concerns loom large. A potential lineup featuring James (39), Curry (37), Jimmy Butler (35), and Draymond Green (34) would raise questions about durability. Why the Move Makes Sense According to : 1. Championship Pedigree: James brings unmatched playoff experience and leadership. 2. Fit with Curry: Their contrasting skill sets could create an unstoppable offensive duo. 3. Lakers' Struggles: With L.A. failing to advance past the first round, James may seek a new challenge. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Potential Roadblocks - Injury Risks: James, Curry, and Butler all dealt with significant injuries this postseason. - Contract Hurdles: James holds a $52.6 million player option, complicating any trade or signing. - Lakers' Plans: His commitment to playing alongside Luka Dončić could keep him in Los Angeles. Playoff History Between LeBron James and Stephen Curry Matchup Result (LeBron's Record) NBA Finals Outcome 2015 Finals Warriors win (0-1) GSW 4-2 CLE 2016 Finals Cavaliers win (1-1) CLE 4-3 GSW 2017 Finals Warriors win (1-2) GSW 4-1 CLE 2018 Finals Warriors win (1-3) GSW 4-0 CLE What's Next for Golden State? If the Warriors exit the playoffs early and seek a roster shakeup, James could emerge as a high-risk, high-reward target. While his arrival would electrify the Bay Area, logistical and financial challenges make this move far from guaranteed. Also read: For now, fans can only speculate—but the idea of LeBron in a Warriors jersey remains a fascinating possibility.
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Best Warriors vs. Wolves Player Props, ATS Bets: Shorthanded GSW Eyes Upset
With Stephen Curry sidelined with a hamstring injury, Jimmy Butler and the Warriors are heavy underdogs on the road in Minnesota on Thursday night. With Stephen Curry sidelined with a hamstring injury, Jimmy Butler and the Warriors are heavy underdogs on the road in Minnesota on Thursday night. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An already intriguing series between the Warriors (7) and Timberwolves (6) will be missing superstar Stephen Curry for the next couple of games, but that doesn't make the next couple matchups in the Western Conference Semifinals any less interesting. Curry, who poured in 13 points in just 13 minutes, exited Game 1 on Wednesday night for good with his team up 30-20 with 8:19 remaining in the second quarter. Read more Warriors' Stephen Curry Ruled Out for Game 2 With Significant Injury The Warriors managed to outscore the Wolves 69-68 the rest of the way thanks to an outstanding defensive effort. Still, there's no denying that they won't be the same team without Curry, who is expected to miss at least the next three games, according to the AP's Dave Campbell. Warriors vs. Timberwolves Series Winner Odds Despite the possibility of Curry missing nearly half of this series, the Warriors are not exactly massive underdogs to advance entering Game 2. Their +160 odds at DK as of Thursday morning carry an implied probability of 38.5 percent. FD's +172 odds give them an implied 36.8 percent chance of winning this series. DraftKings : GSW +160; MIN -190 : GSW +160; MIN -190 FanDuel: GSW +172; MIN -205 Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2 Odds DK FD bet365 GSW spread +10.5 (-110) +10.5 (-110) +10.5 (-110) MIN spread -10.5 (-110) -10.5 (-110) -10 (-110) GSW ML +370 +385 +400 MIN ML -485 -500 -550 Total 201 (o-110; u-110) 201.5 (o-108; u-112) 201.5 (o-110; u-110) How to Watch Warriors vs. Wolves Game 2 Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. ET Channel: TNT/truTV/Max Warriors vs. Wolves Game 2 Player Props Brandin Podziemski 3+ Made Threes (+180 at FD) -- 0.75 units Even if Golden State manages to defend at the level it did in Game 1, the question of who will pick up Curry's scoring slack is a massive one. In Game 1, it was Buddy Hield (24 points on 5-for-8 3-point shooting) and Draymond Green (18 points on 4-for-10 3-point shooting) who stepped up. The Warriors also got 20 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists from Jimmy Butler, but he'll need to improve on his 7-for-20 FG shooting (2-for-8 from 3) for Golden State to stay afloat in Curry's absence. Tonight, while Butler is certainly tempting in multiple prop markets (even at lines that clearly factor in how much his role is about to increase), Brandin Podziemski offers the most upside. The second-year guard out of Santa Clara has been a capable 3-point shooter throughout his first two seasons. He shot 38.5 percent from 3 as a rookie on 3.2 3PA per game. This year, he shot 37.2 percent from 3 on 4.8 3PA per game. In the playoffs, he's struggled a bit from downtown (he's just under 33 percent from 3 through 8 games this postseason), including 2-for-12 over his last two games. But he still made multiple treys in four of seven games vs. the Rockets in the first round, including a 3-for-8 performance in Game 1 of that series and a 6-for-11 night in Game 4. Amid heavy attention on Butler, Green and Hield (the latter is 14-for-19 from 3 over his last two games), Podziemski should get plenty of clean looks tonight. He's a good enough career shooter to offer a ton of value at nearly 2-to-1 to knock down at least three triples. Another reason to like Podziemski tonight is how he fared in 10 games this year where he was in the lineup but Curry was not. Brandin Podziemski 3-Point Shooting Without Stephen Curry Number of Games 3PT Shooting (percent) Made 3P/3PA (per game) Without Butler 7 13/41 (31.7) 1.86/5.86 With Butler 3 11/21 (52.4) 3.67/7 The sample size of Podziemski in "post-Butler trade games without Curry" is limited but nevertheless encouraging. In those three contests -- March 18 vs. MIL, March 22 vs. ATL, March 25 vs. MIA -- Podziemski went 4-for-7, 5-for-8 and 2-for-6 from 3-point land, with his 3-point volume in those games (7 3PA per game) just as encouraging as his efficiency. And for what it's worth, in three regular-season games vs. Minnesota this year, he made 6 of his 12 3-point attempts. With all this in mind, is it just me, or is a quarter-unit or so on Podziemski 4+ Made Threes at +470 at FanDuel also tempting tonight? Warriors vs. Wolves Game 2 Pick, Best Bets Hot take: I don't see Anthony Edwards and Co. letting a Curry-less version of Golden State win back-to-back games on their home floor. The Wolves are one more awful 3-point shooting performance from "Can these guys shoot well enough to stay alive?" territory. Game 1 of this series marked their third sub-20 percent 3-point shooting night in six playoff games. But assuming Minnesota, which was top-five in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage in the regular season at 37.7, can avoid another ice-cold night from outside, it should be able to even the series at 1-1. Still, I'm not comfortable backing a team that posted a true shooting percentage of 47.1 and an effective FG percentage of 42.4 to blow out a veteran Warriors squad with few defensive liabilities. The under would be tempting at a higher number, but Under 201 is a little rich for my blood. So let's take the Warriors to cover as 10.5-point dogs on a big night by Butler and Podziemski. Warriors vs. Wolves Game 2 Best Bets: Warriors +10.5 (-110 at DK, FD, bet365) Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
Newsweek
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Best Warriors vs. Timberwolves Player Props, ATS Bets: Wolves G1 Favorites
The first career playoff matchup between Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry is one of the top storylines in the Warriors vs. Timberwolves Western Conference semifinal clash. The first career playoff matchup between Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry is one of the top storylines in the Warriors vs. Timberwolves Western Conference semifinal clash. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves (6) have taken down a handful of stars -- including Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and LeBron James, to name a few -- over the last two postseasons. Up next for the Wolves: Stephen Curry and the Warriors (7) in the Western Conference Semifinals. After an impressive gentleman's sweep of the 3-seeded Lakers in the first round, Timberwolves fans are one series victory away from their second consecutive appearance in the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors, are on the other hand, needed huge Game 7 performances from Curry and Buddy Hield to take down the Rockets in the first round. From the well-documented bad blood between Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert to the reunion between Jimmy Butler and a franchise he forced his way out of in dramatic fashion back in 2018, this series has it all. Now, let's get into the best bets for Warriors vs. Timberwolves. Warriors vs. Timberwolves Series Odds DraftKings : GSW +155; MIN -180 : GSW +155; MIN -180 FanDuel: GSW +162; MIN -194 Warriors vs. Wolves Game 1 Betting Odds DK FD bet365 GSW spread +6.5 (-110) +6.5 (-110) +6.5 (-115) MIN spread -6.5 (-110) -6.5 (-110) -6.5 (-105) GSW ML +215 +210 +205 MIN ML -265 -255 -250 Total 210 (o-108; u-112) 210.5 (o-108; u-112) 210.5 (o-110; u-110) How to Watch Warriors vs. Timberwolves Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET Channel: TNT/truTV/Max Warriors vs. Wolves Game 1 Player Props Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 Assists (+114 at DraftKings) -- 1 unit Edwards finished Game 2 of Lakers-Warriors with a goose egg in the assists column, but he was otherwise an assists machine in the first round, with at least six dimes in Games 1, 3, 4 and 5 (including a total of 22 across Games 3-5). The fact that Edwards racked up eight assists despite his team's awful shooting performance from outside in Game 5 (the Wolves made just 7-of-47 3-pointers) says a ton about what a safe bet he is to record at least six assists vs. Golden State tonight. It's an understatement to say that the Warriors have better perimeter defenders to throw at Edwards than the Lakers did. Still, at this point in Edwards' career, he won't be seeing much single coverage against anyone. Whether it's Butler, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski or Buddy Hield checking Edwards, he should draw enough help to get plenty of opportunities for assists. Including not only this year's first-round series against the Lakers, but also Minnesota's three series in 2024 against the Suns, Nuggets and Mavericks, Edwards has recorded at least six assists in 15 of his last 21 playoff games, including 9 of his last 10. We'll dive into other ways to tackle the props markets in this series as it plays out, but so far, sticking with Edwards' assists has been consistently profitable. Warriors vs. Wolves Game 1 Pick, Best Bets Figuring out how much of a factor fatigue will be for the Warriors is almost impossible after the Nuggets beat the Thunder last night on two nights' rest following their own Game 7 triumph. For the Warriors, taking on another big, physical team like the Timberwolves after dealing with the Rockets' athleticism for seven games is an unenviable task, but I like Curry and Butler to -- at minimum -- keep tonight's series opener tight. I also like tonight's game to go under the total of 210.5, as both these teams are comfortable slowing it down (MIN was 24th in pace in the regular season, while GSW was 17th), and the veteran Warriors in particular will likely look to make this a halfcourt game. Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 1 Best Bets: Warriors +6.5 (-110 at DraftKings) -- 1 unit Under 210.5 (-110 at bet365) -- 1 unit Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
