2023-24 season: 46-36
Highlight of the season: Jonathan Kuminga emerged as the team’s second-best player after a few years of patience from the organization.
How it ended
Without ceremony. After winning the championship just two years ago, the Warriors failed to make the playoffs, falling to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament and entering the summer of 2024 with bigger questions hanging over them.
While this incarnation of the Warriors has missed the playoffs before, that’s due to somewhat obvious factors like serious injuries to Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. This year, that excuse doesn’t hold water, as the two played more than 70 games.
So what went wrong? As tempting as it may be to find a quick excuse, the fact is that this core is getting older, it’s not getting better, and it has a problem on its hands. Draymond Green was suspended this season for putting Wolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock and hitting Suns center Jusuf Nurkić in the head. It doesn’t take a genius to see that a player who loses his cool – especially someone as crucial to the team’s success as Green – is putting the team at a disadvantage when he leaves the lineup.
Thompson is another story worth following this summer. Viewed as the second-best pitcher in league history — which is hard to argue with — the 34-year-old has done an admirable job of staying relevant as a pitcher after a torn Achilles tendon and torn ACL. Injuries robbed him of his defensive consistency, something that was essential for years. To his credit, he continues to work hard, but his body simply doesn’t allow him to be as effective as he used to be.
Curry, despite all the championships and MVPs, is no longer a chicken either. Despite looking at least 10 years younger, Curry turned 36 in March, and it’s reasonable to wonder how long he can carry this team when his former All-Star teammates are unable to perform. The players who make it, among them Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski and sometimes Moses Moody, are not on a similar timeline as the legendary trio mentioned above.
The timeline will certainly be a topic within the Warriors organization this summer. Thompson is a free agent, and the team is also likely missing Chris Paul due to his $30 million salary not being guaranteed if he is released before June 28.
Greater need in the off-season
If the Warriors want to build the best possible team around Curry during his final years, they will need to consider trading Kuminga and Podziemski, who are each expected to earn a significant trade return. However, due to salary restrictions, they cannot simply accept cash. If they figure they can only try to fill out the roster, assuming Thompson is back, they could use another center as Kevon Looney had a down year, leaving rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis to take on a larger role.
Focus on the draft
There is a lot of value in the second round this year, with the NIL keeping players in college longer. Thompson could be exploring other options in the offseason, and an older guard who can step in alongside Curry in the backcourt and make some outside shots could be an area of need. UConn’s senior guards — Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer — have led the Huskies to back-to-back championships and can play with and without the ball. -Krysten Peek
Projected draft pick (pre-lottery): No. 53
Salary cap details
The Warriors are famous for their big spending habits, which has always been the right move when competing for titles. With Thompson and Paul potentially off the books — and the former presumably re-signed to a more modest deal — Golden State should return to the second apron, provided they don’t spend too much on Thompson.
Regardless, the team lacks cap space and is limited in what they can do on the trade front unless teams are willing to take on Andrew Wiggins’ contract.
Top free agents
Klay Thompson (UFA)
Chris Paul (UFA)
Dario Sarić (UFA)
Goal for next season
If the Warriors are going to extend their competitive window while Curry and coach Steve Kerr are still around, what matters is racking up more wins and making the playoffs. But even if they optimize what they can, within their limits, it’s crucial to note that the West isn’t going to get worse anytime soon and the Warriors certainly aren’t going to get any younger.
What can move the fantasy needle
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. has his work cut out for him. Expanding Kuminga should be the Warriors’ top priority. Trading Andrew Wiggins would help put the Warriors under the luxury tax. If Thompson doesn’t want to take a pay cut, let him go. Finally, put Podziemski and Jackson-Davis in full-time starting roles to embrace a youth movement.
-Dan Tito
