NBA 2023-2024 Preview: Can the Warriors and Steph Curry Secure Another Title?

2022/2023 Season Recap: A Mixed Bag

How do you sum up the Golden State Warriors’ season? It began with controversy, with Jordan Poole and Draymond Green’s preseason altercation, and continued with a regular season filled with away game losses. This made it a mediocre year for Stephen Curry and his team. Andrew Wiggins’ extended absence, due to his father’s illness, was a significant blow to the California-based franchise.

The Warriors finished the season in 6th place in the Western Conference. Wiggins, lacking rhythm, couldn’t replicate his previous season’s playoff performance. After defeating the Kings in the first round, the Warriors’ playoff journey came to an end against LeBron and AD’s Lakers (4-2).

Offseason Moves

Departures

Jordan Poole (Wizards), Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, Ty Jerome, Donte Di Vincenzo, Bob Myers.

Extensions

Draymond Green.

Arrivals

Chris Paul, Cory Joseph, Dario Saric, Brandin Podziemski (draft, 19th), Trayce Jackson-Davis (draft, 57th), Usman Garuba (two-way contract), Rudy Gay, Rodney McGruder, Jerome Robinson, Lester Quinones (two-way contract).

Warriors Starting Five

Stephen Curry – Klay Thompson – Andrew Wiggins – Draymond Green – Kevon Looney.

Bench Rotation

Point Guards

Chris Paul, Cory Joseph, Lester Quinones.

Shooting Guards

Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski.

Small Forwards

Moses Moody, Rodney McGruder.

Power Forwards

Jonathan Kuminga, Rudy Gay.

Centers

Dario Saric, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Usman Garuba.

Strentgh and Weaknesses

Weaknesses

Age of Starters

The trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green is getting older, and injuries have become a concern. While Curry remains exceptional, Thompson has struggled to return to his pre-injury form, especially defensively. Draymond Green’s defensive impact has also waned, and his on-court performance may be affected by his off-court commitments, such as his podcast.

Costly Roster

The Warriors have consistently had one of the highest payrolls in the NBA, and it’s primarily tied up in their aging core. This financial commitment has limited their ability to sign impactful younger players. Their recent top draft pick, James Wiseman, is no longer with the team. The owner, Joe Lacob, will pay a substantial luxury tax bill, exceeding $209 million, for a team that won just 44 games last season. Finding ways to refresh the roster without significant cap space is challenging.

Thin Supporting Cast: Behind the starters, Coach Steve Kerr faces a shortage of reliable role players. In past successful seasons, the Warriors had multiple players step up, but this year’s candidates are limited. Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, both young talents, have yet to fully realize their potential. Dario Saric, although a good fit for the Warriors’ style of play, can struggle defensively. If Kerr uses him as the sole interior player at times, the team’s defensive rating could be a concern.

Strengths

Experience

The Warriors boast the most experienced roster in the league, with several players having won championships and endured both successes and failures. This veteran presence, along with the addition of Chris Paul to share ball-handling duties with Curry, can be a significant asset in managing the regular season workload. Chris Paul’s performance, given his age of 38, will be crucial.

Stephen Curry

Even at 33, Stephen Curry remains one of the NBA’s brightest stars. He is a prolific shooter, averaging nearly 30 points per game last season, and maintains an exceptional three-point shooting percentage. His influence on and off the court is invaluable, especially as a mentor to younger players. If the Warriors achieve a higher overall ranking, Curry could once again be in contention for the MVP title.

Player to Watch: Jonathan Kuminga

At just 20 years old, Jonathan Kuminga is a player to keep a close eye on. Drafted in 2021 and a member of the championship-winning team in 2022, the young player from the Democratic Republic of Congo is likely to be thrust into a starting role during Draymond Green’s absence. Kuminga showed significant potential during his rookie season but saw reduced playing time in his second year, averaging around 20 minutes per game in the regular season. He was even left out of the playoff rotation, and his name circulated in trade rumors during the offseason.

2023 is a critical year for the young forward. “The upcoming season is definitely the right year. A lot of people expect a lot from me, and I expect a lot from myself. The pressure will always be there. It’s up to me to step onto the court and perform,” he stated during a Basketball Without Borders camp in South Africa this summer. His early preseason performances as a starter were promising, and he will need to maintain that level even after Draymond Green’s return.

Season Prediction: 6th in the Western Conference

Much will depend on injuries. With Draymond Green likely to miss the start of the season due to an ankle sprain, Klay Thompson’s recent injury history, and the team’s older starting lineup, the Warriors will need to stay healthy to avoid significant absences from key players. Additionally, the departure of Bob Myers this offseason will have an impact in Golden State. However, if everyone remains relatively injury-free, Steve Kerr and his team should once again make it to the playoffs next year.