Golden State Warriors Season Preview
Re-signed: Stephen Curry
Additions: Kyle Anderson (free agent), Buddy Hield (trade), De’Anthony Melton (free agent), Lindy Waters III (trade)
Draft Pick: Quinten Post (No. 52 overall)
Departures: Chris Paul (to Spurs), Dario Šarić (to Nuggets), Klay Thompson (to Mavericks)
Unsigned Free Agents: Usman Garuba, Lester Quinones, Jerome Robinson
Last Season Recap
The 2023-24 season marked a shift for the Golden State Warriors as they began transitioning from their veteran championship core to a more youth-oriented lineup. Stephen Curry remained an elite performer, shooting 40.8% from three-point range and excelling in clutch moments. However, the other veterans—Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, and Draymond Green—showed signs of decline.
Young players like Jonathan Kuminga and rookie Brandin Podziemski had standout moments and were reliable contributors. Despite their efforts, the Warriors were a shadow of their former selves, ultimately failing to advance beyond the SoFi Play-In Tournament, where they suffered a 24-point loss at home to the Sacramento Kings.
Summer Summary
The biggest storyline of the Warriors’ offseason was the end of Klay Thompson’s illustrious run with the team. Once half of the feared “Splash Brothers,” Thompson’s exit via a sign-and-trade to Dallas marked the end of an era. Financial constraints made it difficult for the Warriors to keep him, forcing them to add lower-cost players to fill out the rotation.
Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson were brought in as veteran replacements, while the team also signed De’Anthony Melton. However, losing key pieces like Chris Paul and Dario Šarić further emphasizes the ongoing transition in Golden State.
Player Spotlight: Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins remains a question mark heading into the season. Although he was the most consistent starter outside of Curry last season, his performance continued to decline compared to his 2021-22 championship contributions. This regression has sparked trade rumors, with speculation that the Warriors might look to move Wiggins by the trade deadline if he doesn’t regain form. However, given his current trajectory, his trade value may not be high.
Season Outlook
The Warriors are clearly shifting toward a youth movement, with players like Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis expected to take on bigger roles this season. The addition of veterans like Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson will help round out the rotation, but the team is no longer a dominant contender in the West.
With the competition in the Western Conference stacked, the Warriors’ ceiling likely lies in the Play-In Tournament. While Curry remains a game-changer, the supporting cast will need to step up if they hope to make a deeper postseason run.
