There have been a number of surprises so far in the 2021 NBA season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards, and Chicago Bulls are three of the top six teams in the Eastern Conference, DeMar DeRozan is having an MVP-caliber start, and the Milwaukee Bucks aren’t even in the top 10 in the East.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all, however, belongs to the Golden State Warriors.
After barely sneaking into the play-in round of the playoffs last year, they currently have the best record in the NBA.
And they don’t even have their second-best player back from injury yet, Klay Thompson.
As good as they are right now, it’s scary to think of what they’ll be capable of upon his return.
Let’s look at what their starting lineup could consist of when Klay comes back from injury.
Starting Lineup With Klay
Head coach Steve Kerr surely has it all figured out already, but here’s what the starting lineup should look like.
Point Guard – Stephen Curry
Shooting Guard – Klay Thompson
Small Forward – Andrew Wiggins
Power Forward – Draymond Green
Center – James Wiseman
Point Guard – Stephen Curry
This one is a no-brainer, of course, as Curry is one of the best point guards in basketball.
He’s leading the league in points per game with 28.7, and 3-pointers made per game with 5.4.
Curry is also averaging 6.6 assists per game and is shooting over 40 percent from 3-point range and over 45 percent from the field.
Steph was the only reason Golden State did as well as they did last year and he’s doing it again this year.
Shooting Guard – Klay ThompsonÂ
When Thompson finally returns from his injury, he’ll no doubt start at either the shooting guard position or the small forward position.
He’ll likely be taking the spot of current shooting guard, Jordan Poole, who will become a valuable commodity off the bench.
Poole can come in and play either the shooting guard or the point guard position if necessary.
Word is Klay Thompson is looking great in his rehab & is 'BACK back.'
The Warriors are playing beautiful ball without Klay. Just imagine what they could look like with a healthy Klay.
Discussed his injury update & impact he could have here: https://t.co/cY211ffFAP#DubNation pic.twitter.com/4nkSf2a0Dy
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) November 10, 2021
Small Forward – Andrew WigginsÂ
Wiggins is the only toss-up in this scenario, but it’s tough to imagine he’ll go to the bench when Thompson returns.
It is possible, however, that Thompson could play the small forward position, Poole could stay at shooting guard, and Wiggins could come of the bench.
Wiggins is currently averaging 18.1 points per game and is Golden State’s second leading scorer.
Having him come off the bench would most likely make him the highest-paid and best bench player in the league.
Power Forward – Draymond Green
The Warriors wouldn’t be the Warriors without Green.
Year after year, he has been the steady hand at the helm on defense and he’s currently leading the team in both assists and rebounds per game.
The only way that Green is ever leaving the starting Warriors’ starting lineup is via an injury or a trade.
Center – James WisemanÂ
Wiseman is currently injured, but by the time Thompson returns from his injury, so will Wiseman.
He’s currently slated to return as early as Thanksgiving weekend.
Wiseman is tall, fast, and athletic as heck and the Warriors are a frightening team with him starting at center.
James Wiseman injury update: Warriors big man could return by Thanksgiving week, per reporthttps://t.co/6hD3PbGFCX
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) November 12, 2021
Would They Be The Best Team In Basketball?Â
If the Warriors starting lineup consisted of Curry, Thompson, Wiggins, Green, and Wiseman, they would be the best team in basketball.
Outside of Curry, they wouldn’t have a single starter under 6-foot-7.
They would be one of the tallest, fastest, and best offensive teams in basketball, with a 7-foot, shot-blocking machine in the middle.
No team would relish the idea of facing off against them in any scenario.
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