In today's Warriors news update, one writer believes that the Golden State Warriors' recent signing of former Brooklyn Nets guard Marcus Thornton could help move the needle on a potential Kevin Love trade down the road.
According to Grantland's Zach Lowe, "of course this deal has an impact on Golden State’s ongoing Kevin Love trade talks. Thompson is the swing piece in those talks, and any acquisition that nudges the equation just a bit in the “trade Klay” direction matters. Livingston doesn’t flip the whole discussion, and the Dubs would still prefer to keep Thompson. But every change in the conversation affects the math."
Livingston is nowhere near the perimeter threat that Klay Thompson is, but has a comparable slashing game when it comes to taking mid-range shots. Also, per Lowe and Synergy Sports, Livingston led the entire NBA in points per possession on post-up tries - a skill which the Golden State Warriors could readily utilize if he is given extended minutes.
However, by no means does a Livingston signing signal the end of Klay in Oakland nor make him an expendable commodity. Klay's skill set is so unique that losing him would be a major hit no matter what.
All Livingston does is give the Warriors options in an offseason where options are good to have.
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