3 moves the Warriors need to make to keep Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson happy
The Golden State Warriors are looking to return to title contention next season. With the right moves, they could surround Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson with the right pieces to make this happen.
Given their circumstances and low expectations heading into the 2020-21 season, you could chalk up the Warriors‘ season as a success. Golden State finished with a 39-33 record and was eliminated in within the final minute of both their play-in tournament games. No player or coach within the organization will be truly satisfied with the results, but there is a lot to build on heading into next season. Their top two players Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will be looking to get back into title contention so there will be a few moves needed to make that happen.
After playing just five games in 2019-20, Curry proved he’s still among the elite in the NBA this past season, averaging a league-leading 32 points per game. No one should doubt Thompson’s abilities either as he aims for a return in the 2021-22 season opener. Maybe there’s a chance tearing both his ACL and Achilles in back-to-back seasons limits his explosiveness, but I’d bet his shooting ability is still great, if not better when he returns.
Still, production will need to come from other players besides these two. Not only will it take some pressure off Curry from having to do everything and a rehabbing Thompson, but it will put the Warriors back in the conversation as a Western Conference contender.
3. Warriors: Leave draft with a win-now player.
There are a few things that will need to happen on the June 22 NBA Draft Lottery for the Warriors to own a first-round pick. You might recall in February 2020 when the Warriors sent D’Angelo Russell in a trade package that included Andrew Wiggins. Also in that trade was a 2021 top-3 protected first-round pick.
If the Timberwolves fall out of the top-3 for the upcoming draft, the pick belongs to the Warriors. If not, the first-round pick will belong to Golden State in 2022 unprotected.
The highest pick the Warriors could get this year would be at No. 4. In a draft that most considered top-heavy. Either way, the Warriors will also have their own pick which is likely to land at No. 14. it might be in Golden State’s best interest to trade the pick(s) in favor of a player who could contribute to the team now.
Curry (33), Thompson (31), and Draymnond Green (31) aren’t getting any younger. The Warriors need to focus on NBA-ready players instead of development projects.