The Golden State Warriors find themselves navigating unfamiliar waters as they enter an offseason without guard Klay Thompson for the first time since 2011. Thompson, a linchpin of the Warriors' half-decade-long dynasty, now suits up for the Dallas Mavericks following a sign-and-trade deal finalized in July. This significant shift leaves Golden State with substantial reconfigurations ahead.
Despite Thompson’s departure, the core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and head coach Steve Kerr remains intact, offering a stable foundation amid the tumult. The Warriors, who fell to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament last season, have restructured their roster by adding players like Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, and De'Anthony Melton. Hield, recognized for his scoring abilities, expressed optimism about his new team, stating, "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."
In pursuit of further bolstering their lineup, the Warriors engaged in negotiations with the Utah Jazz over All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen. However, trade talks stalled due to the Jazz’s high asking price, which included second-year guard and All-Rookie Team member Brandin Podziemski and multiple draft picks. Golden State deemed the potential deal unbalanced and ceased negotiations.
The Warriors' strategic roster maneuvering is partly driven by a need to circumvent hefty luxury tax penalties. By releasing Chris Paul before his $30 million deal became guaranteed, the team repositioned itself under the $178.7 million luxury tax threshold. It’s worth noting that the franchise has incurred $677 million in penalties since the 2013-14 season, a stark reminder of the financial tightrope they walk.
Looking ahead, the organization sees rising young talents Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody as integral parts of their future. Both players are poised to take on larger roles in the upcoming season. They are eligible for five-year extensions in October, but if no agreements are reached, they could become unrestricted free agents after next season. Notably, Kuminga's potential deal could be worth up to $224 million.
Driving these changes not just on the player front but also within the coaching staff, the Warriors have recruited Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse. Stotts, known for his offensive ingenuity, will complement Stackhouse, who brings defensive acumen honed over five seasons as head coach at Vanderbilt. These adjustments come following the departure of Kenny Atkinson to Cleveland and the passing of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic.
While the front office’s approach to reshaping the roster reflects a keen balancing act between maintaining competitiveness and fiscal responsibility, they remain optimistic. A front office source described the situation as "actually really fun." It highlights an organizational confidence despite the considerable challenges ahead.
Stephen Curry's influence within the team structure continues to be profound. He has until the summer to extend his contract for an additional year, potentially worth up to $62.2 million. Reflecting on his career goals, Curry clearly stated, "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."
Warriors' General Manager Mike Dunleavy echoed this sentiment, expressing a strong belief in the team's younger players, "We want those guys here. We believe in them, we drafted them." This faith underscores a commitment not only to the present competitive landscape but also to the franchise's long-term vision.
Navigating this season will test the cohesion and adaptability of a team that has been a linchpin of the NBA for the past decade. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talents, bolstered by strategic coaching appointments, the Golden State Warriors are charting a course with the intent to remain contenders in the ever-competitive NBA landscape.