The Golden State Warriors enter a transformative offseason marked by the departure of Klay Thompson, an iconic figure in the franchise since 2011. In a surprising move, Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal in July, leaving the Warriors to adapt to life without one of their cornerstone players.
However, the Warriors still boast the leadership and talent of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and the tactical expertise of coach Steve Kerr. Last season, the team faced disappointment as they fell to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament. This offseason, the Warriors have been proactive in restructuring their roster with strategic acquisitions, including Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, and De'Anthony Melton.
New Additions and Trade Talks
Notably, Buddy Hield was brought in for his renowned scoring ability. His excitement about joining the team is palpable. "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.
The organization also explored potential trades to further bolster the roster. Discussions with the Utah Jazz regarding All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen highlighted the Warriors' ambitions. However, trade talks stalled when the asking price included second-year guard and All-Rookie Brandin Podziemski along with multiple draft picks. Golden State deemed the deal unbalanced and halted negotiations. The team remains cautious about trading key players like Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga without overwhelming offers.
Financial Maneuvering
In efforts to navigate the burdensome luxury tax penalties, the Warriors have been making calculated financial decisions. Releasing Chris Paul before his $30 million deal became guaranteed allowed the team significant flexibility to reposition under the $178.7 million luxury tax threshold. Since the 2013-14 season, the Warriors have incurred $677 million in penalties, a figure the front office is eager to mitigate.
Within the organizational framework, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green continue to exert substantial influence. Curry, in particular, has a looming decision as he has until the summer to extend his contract for an additional year, up to $62.2 million. Meanwhile, younger talents like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody are poised to take on larger roles in the upcoming season. Both Kuminga and Moody are eligible for five-year extensions in October and could become unrestricted free agents if they do not sign extensions after next season. Kuminga’s potential deal could be worth up to $224 million.
Changes in Coaching Staff
Adjustments within the coaching staff have also been a focal point this offseason, following the departure of Kenny Atkinson to Cleveland and the passing of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic. The Warriors have brought in Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse, aiming to fill the void with experienced and specialized skill sets. Stotts is known for his offensive expertise, while Stackhouse’s defensive acumen has been honed over five seasons as the head coach at Vanderbilt.
Vision and Commitment
The Warriors’ front office remains committed to fostering a competitive environment. Mike Dunleavy, highlighting the organization’s belief in its young talent, stated, “We want those guys here. We believe in them, we drafted them.” Stephen Curry echoed this sentiment, expressing his championship aspirations and unwillingness to settle for mediocrity. "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," Curry asserted.
As the Warriors exit an era marked by Thompson's tenure and navigate the complex waters of salary cap management and roster reshaping, the new season carries a mix of fresh beginnings and familiar leadership. The integration of new talent and the continued mentorship of veterans like Curry and Green set the stage for a compelling season ahead.
An unnamed front office source perhaps summarized it best when they said the situation is "actually really fun." This blend of veteran stability and emerging potential promises to keep the Golden State Warriors at the forefront of NBA conversation.