The Golden State Warriors seem primed to make another run at the NBA Finals.
After missing the playoffs each of the last two seasons, thanks in part to a loss in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament, Golden State remains among the teams expected to push for that Western Conference crown.
The Warriors still sport the league’s most electrifying shooter in Stephen Curry, and his backcourt mate, Klay Thompson, should return at some point this season.
Curry and Thompson make up the greatest shooting backcourt in NBA history, so having those two on the floor together again means the Warriors could win any game they’re playing in.
Warriors Added Depth In The Offseason
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WELCOME BACK, ANDRE
🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/xdE2bkDSsI— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) August 10, 2021
The Warriors’ recent run of championships came to an end because of injuries.
After watching Kevin Durant go out in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Thompson followed with an ACL tear in Game 6.
Those injuries all but sealed the fate of that Warriors rotation.
Soon, Durant and Andre Iguodala landed on other teams.
Thompson was then lost for another full year with an Achilles injury.
The Warriors entered this offseason seeking to supplement their top-end talent with depth once again.
Golden State inked Iguodala to a one-year deal, brining back the 2015 NBA Finals MVP.
The 17-year veteran returns as a reliable perimeter defender and offensive facilitator.
Iguodala’s leadership, being part of Golden State’s three championship victories, should also benefit the locker room.
Along with Iguodala, the Warriors signed Nemanja Bjelica and Otto Porter Jr. to veteran minimum contracts.
The additions of both Bjelica and Porter provide Golden State with capable perimeter shooters to space the floor for their stars.
Bjelica nets over 38 percent of his three-point attempts for his career.
Porter, meanwhile, makes over 40 percent from three, albeit on a lesser volume.
Porter provides the Warriors with a versatile forward who could fill a variety of needs if he stays healthy.
Warriors Boast Young Talent As Well
Jonathan Kuminga 🔒
Jonathan Kuminga ✌@warriors lead by two with 6.6 seconds to go in the fourth! #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/1tSIZiwdQT— NBA (@NBA) August 16, 2021
The real reason Golden State could land the top seed in the Western Conference this season is the tantalizing young talent on the roster.
After missing the playoffs each of the last two seasons, the Warriors have been able to use the draft to restock the dearth of talent on the roster.
The team landed the No. 2 overall pick in 2020 and used it to select talented center James Wiseman.
Although the rookie’s season was cut short by injury, Wiseman still flashed his top-end potential.
Wiseman averaged 11.5 points on 51.9 percent shooting, with 5.8 rebounds and nearly one block over 21.4 minutes per game.
Wiseman is on track to return for camp this season, and could see a similar developmental path as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton.
In the 2021 NBA Draft, the Warriors used Minnesota’s No. 7 overall pick to select prep star Jonathan Kuminga.
With their own pick, No. 14 overall, Golden State chose guard Moses Moody.
Both are electrifying talents who could push veterans for playing time beside Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green.
If any of those three players makes a leap in the 2021-2022 season, the Warriors will be poised to nab the top seed out West.
The other possible outcome here could be using some combination of these three talented prospects to trade for an established star, perhaps someone like Ben Simmons.
