Updated Warriors 2020 draft picks after Willie Cauley-Stein trade

The Warriors added a second-round draft pick for 2020 when they traded Willie Cauley-Stein to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Warriors kicked off the 2020 NBA trade season with a move that landed Willie Cauley-Stein in Dallas, netting Golden State a 2020 second-round pick in return. Prior to the Cauley-Stein trade, the Warriors did not own a second-round pick in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2026.

Cauley-Stein’s gives Golden State more flexibility with their roster, opening up a spot in the lineup, but also gives the Warriors an extra pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

Golden State’s first-round pick in 2020 will be sent to the Brooklyn Nets, but is protected if the pick lands in the top-20. Fortunately for Golden State, their record is buried deep down in the Western Conference, limiting the chances of their first-round pick being dealt back to Brooklyn.

Below is an updated look at the Golden State Warriors picks for the 2020 NBA draft following the Cauley-Stein trade to Dallas according to Real GM.

  • Golden State’s 2020 1st round pick to Brooklyn (protected for picks 1-20; turns into 2025 second-round pick if protection triggers) 
  • Utah’s 2020 2nd round pick (via Dallas in Willie Cauley-Stein trade)
  • Golden State’s 2020 2nd round pick to Sacramento or Dallas 

The Warriors draft capital is more critical in 2020 than years past due to the transition Golden State’s roster is under. Kevin Durant’s departure to Brooklyn, plus injuries to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, has opened deep holes that’s resulted in the Warriors hanging at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

It’ll be essential for Bob Myers, Steve Kerr and Joe Lacob to find players that can bridge the gap between the “Splash Brothers” era and the imminent future. The Warriors challenge to build their future core starts in the 2020 NBA draft.

 

Jerry Jones needs to decide if winning is more important than his ego

The Cowboys are reportedly moving on from head coach Jason Garrett. Will Jerry Jones finally cede some control, or is control what matters?

On Thursday night reports broke that Jerry Jones and the Cowboys may be moving on from head coach Jason Garrett after nine years.

For a team stuck in the mire of NFL mediocrity, it seems like a no-brainer decision. The Cowboys have under-performed under Garrett. It’s time for the team to move on.

What will be more interesting to me is what happens next. Will Jerry Jones bring in an exciting coach who can change the organization? Will Jones finally cede some control, and allow a strong voice to come in and build the team and culture?

For most owners, they want to bring in smart people who can run a great NFL franchise. For Jones, who also acts as the Cowboys’ general manager, I’m not sure that’s the most important thing. Maybe he’d rather the team be a middling NFL franchise, one who can make the playoffs every few years and compete in a meh decision, as long as he gets to call all the shots. That honestly might be what matters most to him.

I’m not judging him for it. In his head, I’m sure he believes that he’s the person who can give the team the best chance to succeed. But as his ridiculous “negotiations” with Ezekiel Elliott showed — in which he publicly bashed Elliott then gave him the contract he wanted anyway — Jones might not be as good at all this as he thinks he is.

That’s not to say he’s totally inept. As in-over-his-head as he may appear to be at times, he’s built some talented rosters over the years.

And, more importantly, this is what he loves doing. Other owners sign checks — Jerry runs things. He adores building the team, scouting the players, negotiating. This is what brings him joy.

Call it ego, call it following his passion. Call it it’s his money and he can damn well do what he pleases with it. Whatever it is, this is what he wants to do.

The only problem with Jones’ approach is it leaves him vulnerable to hiring Yes Men who won’t interfere with his decision making.

EPA Photo

It’s an open secret in Dallas, one that even Troy Aikman is talking about now, that Jones refuses to cede total control of the team to the head coach. This all apparently stems back to how the Cowboys operated under Jimmy Johnson, where Johnson insisted on being the lone voice in the locker room and maintaining a higher level of control of the team.

The Cowboys won that way. They won a ton that way. But Johnson became a legend in his own right. And Jones had to cede a bit of control, and a bit of the limelight, in the process.

For Jones, maybe having that control and that limelight is more important than winning. It’s his money, it’s his organization, it’s his stadium. Sure, he could hire an exciting young coach and forward-thinking GM and turn the team over to them. Maybe it would work, and they’d win a Super Bowl.

But it wouldn’t be Jerry’s team anymore. Not really. And maybe, to him, that’s really the only thing that matters.

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Marquese Chriss lands hefty fine for shoving Dallas guard, Luka Doncic

During the Warriors’ Saturday night tilt versus the Dallas Mavericks, Marquese Chriss shoved Luka Doncic and will now have to pay a hefty fine for the altercation.

In a down season, 22-year old journeyman, Marquese Chriss, has been a bright spot during the Warriors’ struggling season. The former lottery pick has bounced around the NBA over his young career, but through 30-plus games with the Warriors, it looks like he’s found a home in Golden State.

The former Washington Husky was brought in on a training camp flyer to start 2019 and now has found a solidified role off the bench in Steve Kerr’s offense.

Chriss is averaging 7.4 points per game on 49.1 percent shooting from the field, while adding 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest in 2019 with Golden State— everything except for points is a career-high.

Chriss’ steady season hit a bump in the road Saturday night in the Warriors loss to the Dallas Mavericks. His night may look solid in the box score, tallying 16 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes, but his game was defined by his scuffle with MVP candidate, Luka Doncic.

The Slovenian and Chriss got tangled up scrambling for a loose ball that ended with the Warriors center receiving a technical for shoving Doncic down the baseline to the floor.

The technical foul wasn’t enough punishment for Chriss, as the NBA handed out a whopping $35,000 fine on Monday for pushing the Dallas Mavericks star.

According to USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt, the fine’s large size was due to prior discipline handed out to Chriss.

After Chriss was hit with the fine, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported that his camp would advocate for the fine to be reduced.

The tension was building the entire game in the Mavericks visit to Chase Center in San Francisco, starting with Draymond Green getting into it was Kristaps Porzingis, that even got Klay Thompson fired up on the bench. Chriss versus Doncic was just the main event.

Regardless of the fine, the play of Chriss in 2019 has built a case for him to receive a role in the Warriors’ future plans if he can continue his current pace.

Steph and Riley Curry show off elaborate father-daughter handshake

Stephen Curry and his daughter, Riley showed off an impressive handshake before the Warriors tipped off against the Dallas Mavericks.

Since arriving at superstardom, Stephen Curry’s family has shared the limelight with the two-time Most Valuable Player. Whether it’s his parents, Sonia and Dell celebrating in the crowd, or his wife Ayesha writing her own cookbook, the Warriors’ fanbase has grown to know the Curry family like their own.

However, the most famous descendant from the Curry family tree might be Curry’s eldest daughter, Riley. The child burst onto the scene in 2015, stealing her All-Star father’s Western Conference Finals press conference by casually interrupting him throughout with laughs and telling her dad to “be quiet.”

Riley later returned to the podium when the Warriors’ clinched the Western Conference, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in years. Curry’s daughter took over the press conference again, this time by reciting lines from Big Sean’s rap hit “Blessings.”

Riley returned to the spotlight before her father’s MVP acceptance speech in 2016. Curry’s eldest made a grand appearance to the speech by staring down and pointing out several members of the media before her father took the stage.

Although he’s dealing with an injury, Curry’s progressing through his rehab and able to be around the Warriors’ young roster on a more consistent basis. Instead of splashing long-distance jumpers, Curry’s finding new ways to bring energy to Golden State, as the team’s lead hype man.

Before the Warriors tipped off against the Dallas Mavericks, Curry got a little pregame motivation by showing off his handshake, with none other than his daughter, Riley.

It’s safe to say that not just NBA players, but literally everyone— loves a fun handshake, and the Curry’s might take the cake. Curry’s handshake with his seven-year-old daughter is more elaborate than most pregame handshakes you’ll see across NBA warm-ups.

Curry’s handshake with his daughter is just more evidence as to why Riley is a fan-favorite across the Golden State’s “Dub Nation.”

Eagles Injury Report: Philadelphia list 4 starters as questionable for game vs. Cowboys

The Philadelphia Eagles released their final injury report for the teams game against the Cowboys and four starters are listed as questionable to play.

The Philadelphia Eagles released their final injury report for the teams game against the Cowboys and four starters are listed as questionable to play.

Lane Johnson was previously ruled out, while Nelson Agholor, Derek Barnett, Avonte Maddox, and Jordan Howard were all listed as questionable.

JJ Arcega-Whiteside will play despite popping up on the Thursday injury report with a foot injury.

Brandon Brooks, Fletcher Cox, and Ronald Darby were all full participants in practice and should be good to go for Sunday.

PODCAST: Bills shine in the National Spotlight; are they prepared for Baltimore?

The Buffalo Bills won big on Thanksgiving, landing their first “statement win”, against the Dallas Cowboys with the world watching. Buffalo, for the last 20 years, has been a team that collapsed when the national spotlight was placed on them, but …

The Buffalo Bills won big on Thanksgiving, landing their first “statement win”, against the Dallas Cowboys with the world watching. Buffalo, for the last 20 years, has been a team that collapsed when the national spotlight was placed on them, but this was different.

The Bills delivered in a big way, and embarrassing the Cowboys, in their home stadium, and in a game that they have played in every year, since the 1960’s. I’ll admit, that it was strange to watch the Bills in a scenario like this, and a player in a Bills jersey eating a turkey leg to close out the game.

The offense fired on all cylinders, with Josh Allen moving the ball efficiently, by air, connecting with Cole Beasley, who was out for revenge against his former team. Devin Singletary caught a touchdown pass himself, as well as dominating on the ground. Allen looked like the franchise quarterback that Buffalo has long awaited, for the first time. It was certainly a defining game.

The Bills defense handled itself well. Giving up touchdowns to Dallas on their first and last possessions only, they did well, disrupting the number one ranked offense in the NFL. Dak Prescott, in an important contract situation this season, turned the ball over several times. He had defenders in his face all night, and even Ezekiel Elliott couldn’t get anything going.

Buffalo looked good when the lights shined bright, but what lays in front of them is another challenge, in the form of the red hot Baltimore Ravens. It’s hard to not try and enjoy this win against Dallas on a special occasion. With 10 days to prepare for the offensive onslaught that Lamar Jackson has brought against the best of the NFL, there is a lot more work that has to be done before the real celebrating can commence.

Billswire Podcast host Matt Johnson explores the win and outlook towards Baltimore in Week 13:

 

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Bills opponent outlook: Cowboys history, statistics and more

Sep 15, 2019; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) runs after a catch against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports For the first time since 1996, …

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
Sep 15, 2019; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) runs after a catch against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

 

For the first time since 1996, the Buffalo Bills are 8-3, and for the first time since 1994, they are playing football on Thanksgiving. Dallas has been a regular host of the Thanksgiving Day series since 1966, and the Cowboys have a rich history against the Buffalo Bills. It is one of the most anticipated games of Thanksgiving this year.

Here is everything that you need to know about the history of the Cowboys and Buffalo Bills, including their respective Thanksgiving Day stats:

  • The Bills and Cowboys first met on September 17, 1971, in Buffalo. The Cowboys won that game 49-37.
  • They met in two Superbowls, 27 and 28, with Dallas winning both encounters.
  • Their most recent encounter took place on December 27, 2015, and the Bills won that encounter 16 – 6.
  • The Cowboys lead the all-time series, including the two Super Bowl games, 8 games to 4 and have outscored Buffalo 280-181 over those 12 encounters.
  • The Cowboys played their first Thanksgiving Day game on November 24, 1966, defeating the Cleveland Browns 26-14.
  • Dallas would hold that tradition annually, with the exception of 1975 and 1977, in an effort to help out the St. Louis (Arizona) Cardinals boost stadium ticket sales.
  • Dallas is 31-18-1 on Thanksgiving.
  • Buffalo started playing Thanksgiving Day games while in the AFL. They played their first against the New York Titans (Jets) in a 21-14 loss.
  • The modern iteration of the Buffalo Bills have never hosted a Thanksgiving Day game, but played in five during their AFL years when no team had that home game guaranteed.
  • The Bills are 3-4-1 on Thanksgiving.

2019 So Far

Coming off of a 10-6 season and winning the NFC East for the second time in three years, the Cowboys are having a interesting year to say the least. Dallas lost in the Divisional Round of the playoffs to the Los Angeles Rams, and there were very high expectations coming into this season.

The Cowboys are currently 6-5, narrowly sitting atop the NFC East with Philadelphia only one game back at 5-6. As close as the race for the NFC East has been, both Philadelphia and Dallas are not being viewed as very competitive amongst the entire NFL, and are currently the worst team by record in the NFC Playoffs. A rather disappointing year that has many of the Dallas fan base calling for Jason Garrett’s removal as head coach, again.

2019 has been rocky from the start, as star running back Ezekiel Elliott held out for a bigger contract, a few years short of the expiration of his rookie deal. Considering the workload that has been put on “Zeke” over his very young NFL career, it was relatively fair, considering the toll that running back’s endure. However, the hold out led to some awkward moments and uncomfortable statements between Owner Jerry Jones and Elliott.

Also, a looming question heading into 2019 was quarterback Dak Prescott’s contract situation. Prescott has played relatively well in his tenure, sporting a 38-21 record as a starter with 14,309 yards passing, 88 touchdowns and 35 interceptions. He will most likely be extended with Dallas, as he’s given stability at his position that the Cowboys didn’t have during the latter years of Tony Romo’s career. Whether or not Dak has performed well in clutch moments, has been the question of his biggest detractors, and that is an area that he has lacked in.

Dallas began the season with three straight wins, defeating the New York Giants, Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins. A great start, and Dallas looked like a top tier team and a definite Super Bowl contender, granted the strength of schedule. Prescott was having some of his best numbers, and the team, as a unit, was a well oiled machine.

However, it was the three games after that win streak that gave the Cowboys a stigma for 2019 that they “couldn’t beat good teams”. Losing to the New Orleans Saints 10-12, Green Bay Packers 24-34, and even a massive upset by the New York Jets, left Dallas feeling like an average team that couldn’t compete against the class of the division.

Since then, they’ve defeated the Eagles 37-10, completed the sweep of the Giants by winning 37-18, lost to the Minnesota Vikings 24-28, beat Detroit 35-27 and fell to the New England Patriots 9-13.

Dallas currently ranks first in “Team Offense” earning 4,767 yards over their first 11 games. They are the number one passing offense as well, with 3,339 passing yards. They are the eighth ranked rushing offense with 1,428 rushing yards, nearly 1,000 yards behind the Baltimore Ravens who sit at first.

Dak is currently the number one passer in the NFL, with 3,433 yards passing, tied at fourth in passing touchdowns with Kirk Cousins at 21 and tied for fifth in interceptions at 10 with Jimmy Garoppolo, Matt Ryan, Sam Darnold and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

“Zeke” is ranked seventh in rushing with 919 yards on the ground and tied at seven rushing touchdowns with Nick Chubb, Josh Jacobs, Todd Gurley and Bills QB Josh Allen. Dak Prescott has 197 rushing yards to his credit, good enough for 60th in the NFL, as well as three rushing touchdowns of his own.

Amari Cooper comes in at sixth in receiving, amassing 886 yards and he’s tied for fifth with touchdown receptions, at seven. Michael Gallup is the next best receiver, sitting at 21st in the NFL with 733 receiving yards. Randall Cobb at 39th with 581 yards.

As a defense, Dallas sits sixth in the NFL, allowing 3,503 yards against them and the seventh most points scored against them at 210. They are sixth in passing defense, giving up 2,350 yards by air and 12 touchdowns. The weakest aspect of their defense is against the rush, with 1,153 yards ran against them, good enough for 15th in the NFL.

How they match up with Buffalo?

There is certainly some intrigue with this game. Both Dallas and Buffalo are teams with stigmas. They can beat who they are supposed to beat, but can’t get the job done against winning teams. It rings true, as Dallas has not yet defeated a team with a winning record as of Week 13. The only team that Buffalo has defeated with a winning record currently, is the Tennessee Titans.

The Bills rush defense is at great risk this week, although it has improved the last few weeks. Ezekiel Elliott is one of the best running backs in the game, and an excellent pass-catching back. We all watched the defense that New England brought forth on Dallas last week, limiting the best passing offense to no touchdowns. The Bills have a tough defense as well, and it will be interesting to see if the Bills can duplicate or come close to New England’s performance.

Offensively, the Bills moved the ball effectively against Denver, who is ranked in the Top 10. Smart, calculated football to keep moving the chains with more usage for Singletary and Gore. The Cowboys weak rush defense should be a target for Buffalo in this game. Also, Cole Beasley is making his big return to the team where he had spent many years at. Beasley was excellent in the short to mid-range passing game last week, and it would be a good idea to continue to build off of that.

The Cowboys obviously have home field advantage on their side, and that typically bodes well with teams on short weeks. Traveling teams are 5-7 on the year, which aren’t terrible odds for the Bills.

Enjoy this game, and the other two throughout the day, with family and friends, the best way to enjoy football. Happy Thanksgiving from myself and the rest of the Billswire staff to you and yours!

PODCAST: Can Bills carry consistency vs. Broncos into Cowboys meeting?

Buffalo Bills podcast following Week 12 in over Denver Broncos, ahead of Thanksgiving meetings vs. Cowboys.

The Buffalo Bills won their second straight game to improve to 8-3 on the season for the first time since 1996. It was a remarkable game, with the team displaying proficiency in all three phases of football that put up points and yardage on a top defense, halting a strong run offense, and did it’s job on special teams.

Denver had played much better than it’s record until this point, and they hit an absolute brick wall at New Era Field. The Bills defense only allowed 167 yards of total offense in Week 12. Buffalo downed talented running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman. In fact, it seemed that Broncos play calling didn’t aim to target Buffalo’s sketchy run defense in the second half, as they became very pass happy and one-dimensional.

In the Broncos closest venture towards the end zone, they could not get the job done as Tre’Davious White was essentially handed an interception and a broken route intended for Courtland Sutton, who was held for one catch in the outing.

The offense did well, aside from a bad Josh Allen interception that gave Denver some of the best field positioning that they had all day. 244 yards on the ground, again dominated by Devin Singletary.

However, the big news was that, Frank Gore, the journeyman running back, passed Barry Sanders to become third all-time in rushing yards. A tremendous accomplishment, and extra satisfying that it happened with him wearing a Bills jersey.

Buffalo prepares for Dallas on a short week for this Thursday, as the Bills play their first Thanksgiving game in several years. The quick turnaround has affected many teams this year, not being allowed to play to their full potential. Everyone is already hard at work at One Bills Drive to ensure the Bills are prepared for their latest National Spotlight opportunity.

Podcast Hosts Matt and Jeremy examine the win over Denver, and the road to Dallas:

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