For the first time since 2011, the Golden State Warriors embark on an offseason without guard Klay Thompson on their roster. Thompson's departure to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal this July signals a significant shift for the Warriors, a team defined by his sharpshooting prowess. Nonetheless, the franchise remains firmly anchored by Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and coach Steve Kerr.
The Warriors' playoff hopes dimmed last season when they ceded to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament. In the ongoing quest for rejuvenation, the team has reorganized its roster with the acquisitions of Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, and De'Anthony Melton, each poised to bring a fresh dynamic to the court.
New Additions and Moves
Buddy Hield, known for his scoring ability, expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Warriors, citing their dynamic play style and influential leadership. "I watched these guys play my whole [time] in college, even in the pros. When they play, they are a fun team to watch because of the ball movement and the way Steph, Draymond, Andrew [Wiggins], and the way coach Steve [Kerr] coaches. I just feel that it's a good fit, but everything takes time to learn it. It shouldn't be that hard," Hield remarked.
However, not all potential moves have come to fruition. Discussions with the Utah Jazz regarding All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen encountered roadblocks. The steep asking price, which included second-year guard Brandin Podziemski and multiple draft picks, prompted the Warriors to halt negotiations, assessing the deal as unbalanced.
Mike Dunleavy, a key figure in the Warriors' front office, addressed this cautious approach, emphasizing the team's commitment to their young talent. “We want those guys here. We believe in them, we drafted them,” Dunleavy said.
Financial Considerations
The Warriors' strategic decisions are also heavily influenced by financial considerations, notably the luxury tax. Having incurred $677 million in penalties since the 2013-14 season, the team executed measures to avoid further burdensome penalties. The release of Chris Paul before his $30 million contract became guaranteed was one such maneuver, allowing the Warriors to reposition under the $178.7 million luxury tax threshold.
Leadership and Future Prospects
Despite these changes, the Warriors' core remains intact with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, both of whom continue to exert substantial influence within the organization. Curry, who has an option to extend his contract for an extra year up to $62.2 million, remains a pivotal figure, steering the team's ambitions.
This sentiment of winning and not settling for mediocrity was clearly voiced by Curry. "I want to win. Let's put it this way, it's a long-winded way of saying that if it is a situation where you're a bottom feeder and it's just because you want to stay there, I'd have a hard time with that. But I don't think that's going to be the reality," he stated.
Younger players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody are on the brink of stepping into more significant roles. Both are eligible for five-year extensions in October and could become unrestricted free agents if they do not sign extensions after the next season. Kuminga's potential deal could be worth up to $224 million, underlining the franchise's belief in their future contributions.
Coaching Developments
The offseason also saw changes within the coaching staff, following the departure of Kenny Atkinson to Cleveland and the unfortunate passing of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic. In response, the Warriors have brought in Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse to bolster their bench expertise.
Stotts, recognized for his offensive acumen, and Stackhouse, whose defensive skills were honed over five seasons as head coach at Vanderbilt, are expected to complement the existing coaching framework superbly.
In this period of transition, a source from the Warriors' front office encapsulated the prevailing mood, describing the situation as "actually really fun." This optimism underscores the Warriors' resolve to remain competitive, blending their new acquisitions with a seasoned core and nurturing the potential of young talent. The coming season promises to be an intriguing chapter in the storied history of the Golden State Warriors.