The Golden State Warriors, long known for their revolutionary “small ball” style of play, have made a bold move that signals a shift in their roster construction philosophy. On June 28, 2025, ESPN’s Bobby Marks proposed a blockbuster trade that would see the Warriors send young wing Moses Moody to the New York Knicks in exchange for defensive stalwart center Mitchell Robinson. This move, if executed, would address Golden State’s critical needs for rim protection and frontcourt depth, effectively marking the end of their small-ball dominance and ushering in a new era of size and defensive grit.
Why the Warriors Are Moving Away from Small Ball
For years, the Warriors have thrived with lineups featuring versatile, undersized players like Draymond Green at the center position, leveraging speed, shooting, and defensive switching to outmaneuver opponents. However, the team’s recent postseason struggles, including a second-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2025, exposed vulnerabilities in rebounding and interior defense. With Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler already providing defensive tenacity and toughness, the Warriors identified the center position as their Achilles’ heel—a gap that needs filling with size, rebounding, and rim protection.
Bobby Marks pinpointed these deficiencies, noting that Golden State’s top priorities this offseason are to bolster their frontcourt and secure a true defensive anchor. The proposed trade for Mitchell Robinson, a 27-year-old center who has been the backbone of the Knicks’ defense, directly addresses these needs. Robinson’s career averages of 7.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in just 24.1 minutes highlight his ability to control the paint and add valuable possessions through offensive rebounding.
Mitchell Robinson: A Defensive ‘Wall’ for the Warriors
Mitchell Robinson, standing at 7 feet tall, brings the kind of interior presence the Warriors have lacked in recent seasons. Despite injury concerns over the past two years, Robinson proved his value during the Knicks’ 2025 postseason run, where they fell just two wins short of an NBA Finals appearance. His ability to protect the rim would provide Golden State with a much-needed defensive anchor, allowing Green and Butler to focus on their versatile defensive roles without being overburdened in the paint.
Robinson’s rebounding prowess, particularly on the offensive glass, would also give the Warriors’ offense a boost by generating second-chance opportunities. This is particularly crucial for a team looking to maximize possessions for stars like Stephen Curry, who thrives in transition and off quick-hitting plays.
However, Robinson’s fit isn’t without challenges. Offensively, he is limited, having never attempted a 3-point shot in his 377 career regular-season games. This lack of shooting range could exacerbate spacing issues in lineups featuring Green, Butler, or both, as neither is a consistent outside shooter. Additionally, Robinson’s 52% free-throw shooting makes him a target for intentional fouling, as seen in the Knicks’ Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Indiana Pacers in 2025, where his minutes were limited due to this strategy.
Despite these drawbacks, Robinson’s contract—a four-year, $60 million deal with just one season remaining—offers the Warriors flexibility. If the fit proves suboptimal, Golden State can reassess their options after the 2025-26 season without long-term commitment.
Moses Moody: A Rising Star, but Expendable
On the other side of the trade, Moses Moody represents a significant sacrifice for the Warriors. Selected 14th overall out of Arkansas in 2021, Moody has developed into a reliable contributor within Steve Kerr’s system. In his fourth season (2024-25), the 23-year-old shooting guard enjoyed a career year, averaging 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 steals in 22.3 minutes across 74 games, including 34 starts. His 37.4% 3-point shooting marked a career high, showcasing his potential as a 3-and-D wing.
However, Moody’s role diminished in the playoffs, with his minutes dropping to 20.9 per game in the first round against the Houston Rockets and plummeting to just 9.4 minutes per game in the second round against the Timberwolves. With Brandin Podziemski entrenched ahead of him on the depth chart and Buddy Hield providing additional wing depth, Moody has become one of Golden State’s most tradable assets.
Moody’s three-year, $37.5 million extension, signed in October 2024 and running through the 2027-28 season, makes him an attractive piece for the Knicks, who could benefit from his youth, shooting, and defensive versatility. For the Warriors, trading Moody allows them to address their most pressing need at center while maintaining their core of Curry, Green, Butler, and other key contributors.
A New Era for Golden State
The proposed trade for Mitchell Robinson represents more than just a roster tweak—it signals a philosophical shift for the Warriors. The small-ball era, defined by speed, spacing, and versatility, has been a hallmark of Golden State’s dynasty, but the modern NBA demands adaptability. With teams like the Timberwolves and other physical, size-heavy opponents dominating the postseason, the Warriors are recognizing the need for a more balanced roster capable of competing in the paint as well as on the perimeter.
Robinson’s arrival would create a formidable defensive trio alongside Green and Butler, giving Golden State the tools to match up with any frontcourt in the league. While his offensive limitations pose challenges, the Warriors’ system, built around Curry’s gravity and Kerr’s creative play-calling, could mitigate these issues by emphasizing Robinson’s strengths in pick-and-rolls and offensive rebounds.
What’s Next for the Warriors?
As the Warriors navigate the offseason, the potential acquisition of Mitchell Robinson could be a game-changer. It would provide the rim protection and rebounding they desperately need while allowing them to maintain their championship aspirations. Losing Moses Moody, a young player with significant upside, is a tough pill to swallow, but the trade-off for a defensive “wall” in the paint could be worth it for a team looking to reclaim its place atop the NBA.
With just one year left on Robinson’s contract, the Warriors have a low-risk opportunity to experiment with this new-look roster. If the fit works, they gain a long-term solution at center. If not, they can pivot in 2026 without long-term consequences. Either way, this move marks the end of the small-ball era and the beginning of a new chapter for Golden State—one built on size, defense, and a renewed commitment to dominating both ends of the floor.