The Golden State Warriors had an unusual offseason. Most expected them to make bold moves to build a contender around Stephen Curry after missing the NBA playoffs last year. It seemed essential to acquire more competent pieces. However, the team had a relatively quiet summer.
First, the bad news. Both Chris Paul and franchise icon Klay Thompson departed for practically nothing. The negotiations for both were poorly handled and felt like a disservice to two bona fide legends. But it wasn’t all bad for Mike Dunleavy and the new front office.
After those losses, the Warriors rebounded by adding a few quality rotation players. Names like De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield, and Kyle Anderson joined the Bay Area squad. Still, no marquee acquisitions were made.
With Curry and a deep roster but no true secondary star, how will the Warriors fare in the 2024-25 season?
No significant trades
Unlike LeBron James-led teams, the Warriors typically stick with their roster for an entire season. Under Steve Kerr, the team has rarely made in-season trades of significance, and this year looks no different.
Lauri Markkanen was their main offseason target, but with his recent contract extension, he’s ineligible for trade until next offseason. It’s unlikely the Warriors will pursue any other major trades.
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The primary reason for passing on a trade for Markkanen was the emergence of rookie Brandin Podziemski. He was a revelation last season, seamlessly transitioning between starter and bench roles. Golden State is banking on his continued growth and isn’t likely to abandon that midway through the year.
Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga make a leap
Fortunately, this faith should pay off. Podziemski made an impact last season in limited minutes, impressing players and coaches alike as he filled the shooting guard void. A streaky shooter with some self-creation ability, Podziemski also flashed defensive upside, showing his two-way potential.
With more playing time alongside Curry and Hield, Podziemski should thrive. While he averaged under 10 points per game last season, that was due to limited minutes earlier in the year. Expect him to take a big step forward with increased opportunities.
A similar story applies to Jonathan Kuminga. He finally received extended playing time last season and quickly showed the potential Golden State envisioned when they drafted him. His numbers improved, his defense was stellar, and his energy was contagious.
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Suddenly, the Warriors had a quality wing who could play alongside—or even replace—Andrew Wiggins. Kuminga’s main area for improvement is three-point shooting, but his skill set is already invaluable on a team like Golden State. With a larger role this season, Kuminga could emerge as the second star Curry needs.
No playoffs, again
However, it’s not going to be a joyous year for the Warriors. Even with the internal growth of Podziemski and Kuminga, the team doesn’t stack up well against the rest of the Western Conference.
Since Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson went down in the NBA Finals, the writing has been on the wall. Aside from their 2022 championship run, their decline has been obvious. Multiple years in the lottery preceded that title, and the team has struggled to maintain its dominance ever since.
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The year after their fourth title in the current era, the Warriors were a sixth seed and lost in the second round. Their poor road record last season was a sign of things to come, and they missed the playoffs entirely. Unfortunately, this season is expected to follow the same trend.
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