For the first time since 2011, the Golden State Warriors will venture into an offseason without Klay Thompson on their roster. The renowned sharpshooter has joined the Dallas Mavericks through a sign-and-trade deal in July, marking the end of an era in the Bay Area.
New Faces in the Roster
Despite Thompson's departure, the Warriors continue to retain key figures like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and the ever-strategic coach Steve Kerr. To compensate for the loss of Thompson, the Warriors have restructured their roster, bringing in additions such as Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, and De'Anthony Melton. Hield, renowned for his scoring abilities, expressed his enthusiasm by 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."
The Warriors engaged in trade discussions with the Utah Jazz for All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen. However, the negotiations stalled due to the high asking price that included second-year guard and All-Rookie Brandin Podziemski and multiple draft picks. Golden State decided to halt these talks, considering the deal to be disproportionately unfavorable, a decision reflecting their cautious approach to parting with promising talents like Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga. "We want those guys here. We believe in them, we drafted them," emphasized Warriors' General Manager Mike Dunleavy.
Financial Maneuvering
The Warriors' front office has been judiciously operating to avoid onerous luxury tax penalties. This financial prudence saw them releasing Chris Paul before his $30 million deal became guaranteed, allowing the team to reposition below the $178.7 million luxury tax threshold. Since the 2013-14 season, the Warriors have shouldered $677 million in luxury tax penalties—a staggering amount that necessitates careful financial planning moving forward.
Despite the fiscal challenges, the influence of Curry and Green within the organization remains robust. Curry has the option to extend his contract for an additional year worth up to $62.2 million by the summer. Adding to their strategic depth, younger players like Kuminga and Moses Moody are set to take on more significant roles this season. Both players are eligible for five-year extensions in October and could become unrestricted free agents if they do not sign after the upcoming season, with Kuminga's potential deal rumored to reach up to $224 million.
Coaching Staff Changes
Amid the player roster changes, the coaching staff is also undergoing a transformation. Notably, Kenny Atkinson's departure to Cleveland and the unfortunate passing of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic prompted the Warriors to bring in seasoned coaches Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse. Stotts, recognized for his offensive expertise, and Stackhouse, esteemed for his defensive knowledge garnered over five seasons at Vanderbilt, are expected to complement Kerr's leadership.
A Season of Adjustments
The Warriors come off a somewhat disappointing season, having lost to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament. As the team recalibrates, it aims to integrate new players and foster the development of its younger talents. Front office sentiment reflects an optimistic yet grounded approach, with one source describing the situation as "actually really fun."
As Stephen Curry succinctly put it, "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."
With such a mix of seasoned veterans, emerging stars, and experienced coaches, the Warriors are positioning themselves for a promising yet cautious push towards reclaiming their status as one of the NBA’s elite teams.