The Golden State Warriors’ 2024 Depth Chart: A Preview of the New Rotations
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Mike Dunleavy quickly enacted many changes as the Warriors’ new general manager. Flipping Jordan Poole for Chris Paul revamped the entire second unit while signing savvy veterans like Cory Joseph and Dario Saric added some crucial depth. The Warriors have a completely different roster outside of their starters and their two 2021 lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, so this is how their rotation may play out this upcoming season.
Starters: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
Even though there have been conflicting insider reports from Kendra Andrews and Marc Spears regarding Chris Paul’s role next season, it’s unlikely the Warriors roll out a different starting lineup than what they’ve used for the past two seasons (at least when everyone is healthy). Kevon Looney stabilizes this lineup with his profound interior presence as a rebounding machine and timely screener. The Warriors need Looney’s durability and familiarity in the starting lineup, so swapping him out with Chris Paul to create an ultra-small-ball lineup is a risky move. Additionally, this starting five with Looney has posted one of the best net ratings in the NBA by a significant margin. Breaking up that lineup would be a major mistake.
Bench Unit: Chris Paul, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Dario Saric
This second unit should be fairly consistent unless Paul misses a good chunk of games or if head coach Steve Kerr elects to use Trayce Jackson-Davis as the backup center instead of Dario Saric. However, Saric should get the nod as the regular backup center because his floor-spacing and passing will be invaluable in the second unit. Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga should be staples in the Warriors’ bench lineup as all three have had pivotal roles at some point during their two years in the Bay. Payton II is a perfect fit since he can play off the ball, guard the other team’s best player, and catch lobs like a center. Moody and Kuminga should have more consistent roles as the backup forwards this season, especially with each of their improvements last year with more consistent shooting and better defense. Kuminga wasn’t able to crack the playoff rotation last year, but his size and athleticism combined with improved decision-making should make him a staple rotation player in the regular season and the 2024 playoffs.
Third String: Cory Joseph, Brandin Podziemski, Lester Quinones, Trayce Jackson-Davis
Currently, the Warriors only have 14 players signed, and they have three more spots to fill (one standard contract and two two-way spots). However, two players that could end up seeing significant playing time in the regular bench rotation are Cory Joseph and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Joseph may only play if Curry or Paul are out, but Joseph’s defense, shooting, and IQ will make it tough for Kerr not to play him. On the other hand, Jackson-Davis may get backup center minutes behind Looney depending on the matchup. If Coach Kerr wants a pick-and-roll partner with Paul and a boost of athleticism and energy off the bench, Jackson-Davis will likely get minutes. Even so, Saric is expected to be the consistent backup center. Furthermore, Podziemski and Quinones might not see many minutes with the Warriors’ already deep guard rotation. Both will probably play considerably in the G-League, but Kerr may use them in spot minutes on the main roster if there’s a blowout or if injuries start to pile up with the Warriors’ primary guards.
