The Golden State Warriors are on a path of slipping into mediocrity. This is the last year for them to get back on track before it’s too late. It’s no secret that the Warriors experienced a disappointing last three seasons.
One of the big decisions for the general manager and coaching staff is whether to keep up-and-coming Jonanathon Kuminga or trade him for assets that better fit with the Warriors’ aging big three.
How much can we really expect from a 37-year-old Stephen Curry, a 36-year-old Jimmy Butler, and a 35-year-old Draymond Green? Other teams around the league have strengthened their squads, but the Warriors have not. Did the Warriors’ young players develop enough to offset their lackluster free agency? Do the Warriors have enough money to improve the roster?
The Kunminga situation is very unique. On one hand, you’ve got a young super athlete and elite isolation scorer who has shown promise on the defensive end. On the other hand, you’ve got a turnover-prone, below-average shooter and bad decision maker.
The talent is undeniable, but the roster fit is a concern. Kuminga is a forward; the Warriors’ starting forward duo is Butler and Green.
You could move Green to the center position and Quinton Post to the bench. But in doing that, the spacing in that line-up would be lackluster at best.
You could bring him off the bench like they did last season, since he’s already expressed that he would rather be traded than sit on the bench again. Kuminga just signed a two-year $48 million deal with the Warriors. Now, that’s a lot of money, but if Steve Kerr and the coaching staff can get the best out of him, it will be the best contract in the league.
Even though they’re old for their profession, they’re still pretty good. Curry was voted the best American player by other coaches this offseason. The team’s success relies on Curry’s ability to stay in shape and continue his form or improve.
Butler is the team’s other offensive creator. He creates plays for his team and himself. Last season, he averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and shot 50% from the field. Not only is he important on the offensive side of the ball, but also on the defensive side. Butler is one of the league’s best perimeter defenders.
Green rounds out the trio. Green is a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year Award recipient.
“Steve Kerr and the coaching staff rely on the old guys too much,” senior Parsa Izapanah said. Their age may lead to injuries, as all three have missed time last season, but if they can keep injuries far and few between, they will have no problems keeping the team afloat.
Kuminga is the headliner for this team’s young core, but he’s not the only young piece in the rotation.
Brandin (Podz) Pozimski is going into his third season. He’s been the Warriors’ starting shooting guard for a season. Pozimski has shown glimpses of being a great all-around combo guard, but his streaky shooting numbers and below-average frame have held him back last year.
Quinton Post, the Warriors’ center, had a promising rookie season. It took Post a while to break into the rotation, but once he did, his ability to shoot the three-pointer from the center position proved valuable for the wins. One thing he needs to improve on is his defense. Post was exposed in the playoffs for his slow feet in the pick and roll and his poor interior defense.
The other young big man the Warriors have is Trayce Jackson-Davis. He’s a good rebounder, screener, and rim runner. His struggle is his inability to shoot the ball, which makes his fit with Green a concern. Post and Jackson-Davis could rotate starting depending on the opponent.
The last of the young core is in their fourth season, Moses Moody. Moody brings versatility on defense and solid shooting. He’s someone who is good at everything but not amazing at anything. If he could make his ability to score off the ball a real strength, he could be a good sixth-man option.
Free agency hasn’t been nice to the Warriors. The Kuminga situation has hampered the team’s financial situation.
The Warriors signed Al Horford, Seth Curry, and D’Anthony Melton. Those additions will provide some depth off the bench, but none of them will improve the roster.
“Al Horford will have a larger role… he’ll probably start. Danthony Melton’s defense is always great,” senior and Warriors’ fanatic Jonah Morgan said.
The Warriors don’t have money. The salary of the team is a smidge over $170 million, while the cap is $154 million.
The NBA salary cap isn’t a hard cap that the team has to stay under, but going over will cause the team’s owner of the team to pay fines.
The first Apron is the first level of taxation. No team wants to go over the first apron, which is $194 million. At the moment, it’s not bad, but if the Warriors want to make trades during the season, the weak financial situation could hurt the team.
There are still question marks all over this tea, really making it hard to predict how the season could turn out.
We’ll see if the Big Three can continue their production, Kuminga and the younger core finally come into their own, and the incoming free agents can help off the bench. If all these questions are answered, the Warriors will have no problem making a deep run in the playoffs
