The Warriors are in unfamiliar territory. At 16-18, it's only the second time since 2011-2012 that they've started the season with a losing record 34 games in. Amid the struggles, all eyes will be on Golden State to see if they break up the current roster. Now it's a matter of figuring out what kind of player the Dubs need to turn things around.

The Warriors' team has always lacked size, specifically at the center position. Many people have advocated for Golden State to bring in another post-player. It makes sense for rebounding and a larger presence inside, especially when going up against Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The larger post presence is what was expected to be of James Wiseman, but the hope for him to succeed in the franchise is becoming slimmer by the game.

A great center can do justice in many ways for teams and can do justice for Golden State, but bringing in another big wouldn't match the identity of this team. Thus, the Warriors don't need to make the trade for a quality center. A quality wing should be the number one target. Again, by looking at this team's history, it’s the move that makes sense.

With last year's championship team, they were made with quality wings. The losses of Bjelicia, Porter, and Payton are three wings that contributed different pieces to the Warriors. Payton excelled in his job and became a defensive juggernaut to the point where it was necessary to include his name in Defensive Player of the Year conversations. Porter, ultimately, was the player who fits the "3 and D" identity of Golden State. Bjelica, while sometimes making plays that could frustrate any basketball fan, had one of the more fundamentally sound games on the Warriors' roster. Each brought a dimension on the outside which made the team more versatile.

All of those styles of plays are gone for Golden State. In all of their championship teams, their bench incorporated at least two of those types of players. Even while each player contributed different parts to the success of the 2022 championship team, one common theme between the three was that they're all veteran wings.

Three and D, positionless set pieces, and fast pace of play have been the formula for Golden State's success during the dynasty. We saw this system work to perfection against Boston — a team that runs with nearly the same style of play of gritty defense and proficient shooting from deep. And now, as Boston was able to construct a roughly identical but improved roster from last year's runner-up team, they're arguably the favorites to win the title this year.

The Warriors need to reconstruct the team to fit that style of play that has brought so much success to the franchise over recent years. As WarriorsTalk writer Jerry Jiang penned in one of his recent articles, Golden State could do just that by taking advantage of what's happening in Chicago as tensions within the locker room are rising. One of those players Jiang mentioned, Alex Caruso, is already speculated to be a possible trade target for Golden State after an extended conversation between him and Kerr was seen taking place at the end of their previous matchup earlier this season.

With Caruso's tenacity and hustle on both ends of the floor, he would not just fit in as a contributing role player. He would provide a much-needed spark with both his play and his experience. Caruso is an NBA champion; he understands the pressure in the playos; he understands what it takes to win; he's a piece that can fit the identity of the Warriors perfectly.

The addition of quality wings can range from players like Caruso, an active, athletic guard, to players like Otto Porter Jr, a high IQ and efficient forward. Even looking back to the 2015-2018 championship days with Shaun Livingston, a versatile wing player with the ability to play both in the guard and forward slot, the model helped run and propel the Warriors' style of play successfully.

When the Warriors are loaded with versatile wings, they've been able to win, or at least put together a quality season. If Golden State is going to make any moves before the trade deadline, that can revive their winning reputation amidst concerns they may not be up to a return to the Finals. In that case, it will be essential for them to add those quality wings they've had on the previous four championship rosters.

(Photo credit: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)