Grading the Golden State Warriors’ Offseason Moves So Far
Stephen Curry (left) and Chris Paul (right)
Image credit: Basketball Forever
The Golden State Warriors completely shifted their approach this offseason after previously trying to execute a two-timeline plan, which involved simultaneously developing their young players and competing for championships with their aging core. This appeared to work when the Warriors won the 2022 championship because their 2021 lottery picks Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga got some valuable playing time in the regular season and were able to learn from the veteran core in the playoffs. However, everything changed in the 2023 season as Kuminga and Moody struggled with inconsistent minutes and couldn’t fill the void left by Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica. Jordan Poole also struggled to maintain his consistency from last year’s playoffs, which resulted in an underwhelming second-round exit to the LA Lakers. This prompted new general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. to scrap the two-timeline plan and trade away most of the Warriors’ young core in hopes of acquiring veterans that can propel the Warriors to a 2024 championship. Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody are still on the roster, but that could change because of what the Warriors have already enacted. Let’s grade the Warriors’ off-season moves so far and analyze what they still need to accomplish in revamping this roster.
The Chris Paul Trade: B+
Image credit: Fadeaway World
Chris Paul should solve many of the Warriors’ issues when Curry is on the bench and help with the team’s sometimes costly turnovers. Though this moves the Warriors closer to the 2024 championship, they gave up many of their young players to trade for a 38-year-old point guard with one guaranteed year left on his contract. Paul is a hall-of-fame point guard who can still play at an all-star caliber level, but giving up Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, and two draft picks seems like too much. If the Warriors win the championship next year, this move is an A+ because the Warriors will have gotten what they wanted and cleared $30 million off their books in 2025. Only time will tell, but Paul should increase the Warriors’ odds of getting Curry, Thompson, and Green their fifth championship.
Drafting Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis: A
Brandin Podziemski (left) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (right)
Image credit: NBC Sports Bay Area
Podziemski (the 19th overall pick) and Jackson-Davis (the 57th overall pick) are exactly what the Warriors need to complete their roster going forward. Podziemski has two years of college experience at Illinois and Santa Clara and is already extremely polished as a three-point shooter and rebounder, two things the Warriors need at the guard position. He’s also a solid playmaker and can be a secondary ball-handler when needed. On the other hand, Jackson-Davis is a versatile forward/center who is a shot-blocking machine and athletic phenom. The Warriors needed an athletic center behind Kevon Looney, so Jackson-Davis is a perfect fit. He is already 23 years old and played four years at Indiana, so he can contribute right away as a shot-blocker and rim-runner. Podziemski and Jackson-Davis will be on the main roster next season after signing standard rookie contracts, and they should be valuable backup options if head coach Steve Kerr elects to use them.
Signing Cory Joseph: B+
Image credit: Noah Graham, Getty Images
The Warriors added another important veteran to their roster to replace Donte DiVincenzo when he signed with the Knicks. Joseph has been an excellent backup point guard for nearly a decade now as he brings a level of steadiness and continuity wherever he’s played. He doesn’t turn the ball over much, as he has one of the highest assists-to-turnover ratios in the NBA, and he’s developed into a prolific three-point shooter and defender. This was a great signing by the Warriors’ front office, but it would be even better if the Warriors didn’t already have Chris Paul. Joseph is too talented not to get minutes and given that he’s technically a third-string point guard on this roster, the Warriors will be playing some ultra small-ball lineups next year. The Warriors already played too much small-ball last year, and it didn’t work in their favor, so it’s unclear what their plan is for Joseph. However, the Warriors expect Curry and Paul to be out at certain points of the season, so Joseph will fill that point guard void perfectly when called upon. Although Joseph is a great fit, the Warriors needed more forwards and centers after signing Chris Paul, not necessarily more point guards.
What’s Next?
The Warriors have 12 players on their roster and want to fill out two more of those spots by the start of training camp. This will leave one spot remaining for financial flexibility or to sign one of their two-way players later in the season. Kevon Looney and Jackson-Davis are the only big men on this roster, and even though they create quality depth, neither are taller than 6’9. There is clearly a need for more size to match up against centers like Jokic and Ayton in the playoffs next year. The Warriors also need some more size at the forward positions to create more depth behind Wiggins, Green, and Kuminga. Tall forwards like Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica were crucial to their 2022 championship run, so it’s time for the Warriors to revisit that winning formula and create more positional versatility. Unfortunately for the Warriors most of their free-agent targets like Eric Gordon have opted to join other championship contenders, and the list of remaining free agents is quickly shrinking. Can the Warriors sign some big men in free agency to balance out this roster, or will there be another year of ultra small-ball?
