The 2024-25 NBA season is here! We present the biggest questions, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy predictions for all 30 teams. Enjoy!
WARRIORS OF THE GOLDEN STATE
End of year 2023–24
Off-season moves
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Enrichment: Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton, Lindy Waters III
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Subtraction: Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Dario Saric, Lester Quinones
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Complete squad
The most important question: what do the fighters look like after Klay?
Klay Thompson's departure to the Dallas Mavericks ended one of the most successful partnerships in NBA history. The 34-year-old won four championships alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Golden State Warriors also allowed 39-year-old Chris Paul to play in free agency. They tried like hell to get another big name, but Paul George chose the Philadelphia 76ers and the Utah Jazz decided not to trade Lauri Markkanen.
The Warriors therefore relied on their youth and versatility. They retained homegrown trade chips Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Pod Ziemiski, none of whom are central to the deal themselves. All three should be high-quality players. The question is how well. None of them are over 22 years old.
Kuminga has the greatest potential. He is a springy wing and has an erratic jump shot. They already have Andrew Wiggins, who fits a similar description, at least since his jumper has returned to league average.
The Warriors also signed Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De'Anthony Melton – three more valuable players. Neither Hield nor Melton earned consistent minutes for the Sixers in the playoffs. Anderson also gave the Minnesota Timberwolves inconsistent time in the playoffs. They are OK as inning eaters in the regular season.
Finding the right combination of players to line up around Curry could be an evening game of roulette for head coach Steve Kerr. The Warriors want to play faster and they have the team to do it. But what do they get from match to match with this collection of quality players? The Subterranean may be the most reliable of the group, and also the least experienced. Kerr needs consistent two-way play from at least three of them every night, but if one of them misses the ball or another doesn't play defense, he'll be looking for answers.
That's assuming Green, at age 34, can still be a staple in an elite defense. Golden State expects Green to elevate everyone on defense as much as Curry did on offense. Over the years, we've seen each of them be the best in their element. And we just saw Curry tower over everyone for most of the Olympics. But Green lost a step. Maybe a step and a half. He missed 27 games last season due to injury and suspension and failed to make the All-Defensive team for the first time since 2020. Will Green become more erratic as both he and Golden State face the reality that neither is at their best?
They still have Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis to take some of the pressure off their frontcourt, but Green's ability to play small-ball center at the highest level has always been what unlocked the best of the Warriors.
They also had Thompson, who in his prime was both a top-class defender and one of the greatest scorers of all time. After injuries, he wasn't anymore, which lowered their ceiling below title contention, with the exception of one playoff round where Wiggins became a reliable second option.
A collection of players won't replace what Thompson has lost in recent years. The respect he showed swung the vote in Curry's favor. The Warriors call time for Kuminga and the center who writes in green, how do they maintain spacing for Curry? They would rely on a group of players who were either too young or too one-dimensional to provide the necessary consistent two-way play.
In other words: Who do you expect to finish against Curry and Green? Even Kerr doesn't know about it.
Best case scenario
If Wiggins returns to his 2021-22 form, when he made his lone All-Star appearance; if Kuminga, Moody, Pod Ziemia and Jackson-Davis accelerate their development; if Anderson, Hield and Melton extend the rotation; and whether Green will be able to maintain his elite level of defense and remain available; then Curry should have enough players around him to a) compete for a guaranteed seeding against the West in the playoffs and b) convince the front office that they are indeed one deadline away from returning to title contention.
If everything falls apart
If the opposite is true – if Wiggins is unable to match the value of his contract; if the youth movement is not ready for the next step; if the Warriors are unable to execute a reliable rotation; and if Green is too old or too turbulent to unlock Golden State's best potential lineup combinations – then they will be no better than last season, competing for a play-in tournament stake at the risk of missing the playoffs altogether.
Spin fantasy
The Warriors have several late-round players with breakout potential: Kuminga (ADP 92.8), Podbierzy (ADP 117.0) and Jackson-Davis (ADP 126.5). Kuminga should see an increase in points, 3-pointers and rebounds in his starting and main role for the Dubs.
In category leagues, I prefer Podbierzy over Kuminga in terms of ADP. Podz rebounds well for his position, hits more threes and generates more dimes and steals than Kuminga. Regardless of whether Podz starts playing or not, he has a significant role to play on this Warriors team.
Jackson-Davis will be great at FG% and blocks, but his minutes could fluctuate as Kerr starts playing in a nine-man rotation. Look for a green rebound campaign (ADP 102) with Melton on sleeper watch. Don't bother drafting Wiggins in fantasy. — And Tytus
2024–25 schedule
Too many ifs; not enough certain things outside of Curry. Take under.
