3 Changes Warriors Must Make After Shocking Play-In Exit

The Golden State Warriors will not be making the playoffs for the second year in a row.

The Grizzlies knock the Warriors out of the play-in tournament. pic.twitter.com/Xdu2JtMRGo

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 22, 2021

After years of being a dynasty, they have become a middle of the pack type of franchise.

They entered the play-in tournament with the hottest hand in the world, Stephen Curry.

However, that wasn’t enough to get them one win in two games.

Losing to the Los Angeles Lakers was respectable as they were so close to beating the defending champions.

We expected that the Warriors would easily take down the Memphis Grizzlies.

Unfortunately, that was not the case at all.

Warriors had their chances to win the game, including a Draymond Green floater at the end of regulation.

They still ended up falling short.

Now Curry is at home after achieving such a monumental season.

The Warriors must find a way to regroup and come back with a playoff appearance next season.

There are three changes that they must make in order to be a playoff team again.

3. Play James Wiseman and Develop Him

The Warriors drafted James Wiseman second overall in last year’s NBA Draft.

He had a lot of ups and downs this season, and was often ridiculed due to LaMelo Ball‘s play, who was drafted right after Wiseman.

Wiseman has the potential for sure, but it was hard to fit in this motion-based offense.

He is more of a rim-running big that would excel at pick and rolls.

However, that is not the Warriors offensive model.

Furthermore, Wiseman tore his meniscus late in the season and is now having to rehab a major injury in his young career.

Warriors say rookie center James Wiseman will officially miss remainder of season and return for 2021-22 season after undergoing surgery on torn meniscus in right knee.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 15, 2021

The Warriors need to find a middle ground of wanting to compete, but also developing their young prospect.

He is a part of their future and they need to treat him as such.

2. Acquire More Talent

A big problem the Warriors have had in the most recent years is a lack of depth.

They were once labeled as a team with strength in numbers, but that is not true today.

The Warriors have had to find role players through the G League or overseas.

Those players are good, but are very limited.

They don’t have a true sixth man that can come off the bench.

Jordan Poole has the potential to fulfill that role, but there is also a chance that might not happen.

It is best for them to hit the free agent market for veteran role players.

There is a way to create space in order to acquire more talent.

1. Sign and Trade Kelly Oubre 

Kelly Oubre was a last-minute addition for the Warriors once Klay Thompson was lost for the year.

Oubre hasn’t fully meshed well with the team, but had some moments where his play was definitely needed.

Oubre is now going to be a free agent this summer and the Warriors might lose him for nothing.

The Warriors can try their best to initiate a sign-and-trade with the team who eventually signs Oubre.

There are two options with the sign-and-trade.

They can either get a piece back or a trade exception.

The most likely scenario would be that trade exception.

This is what the Boston Celtics did once they knew Gordon Hayward was leaving.

The Warriors cannot lose an asset for nothing.

Thompson might not be the same and they might be too cap-stricken to get more talent.

Keeping Oubre wouldn’t be the worst solution, but a sign-and-trade is the best way to go.