Warriors projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
Golden State Warriors starting shooting guard: Klay Thompson
Last season was Klay Thompon’s first full season since 2018-19. The all-time great shooter looked the part, averaging 21.9 points and burying 41.2 percent of his career-high 10.6 three-point attempts per game. Not too shabby for a player with Thompson’s recent injury history.
That said, Thompson did show signs of wear and tear — primarily on the defensive end, where his days as an elite wing stopper felt like a distant memory. That’s an underrated factor in the debate over Chris Paul’s rotation spot. It’s hard to justify starting a 38-year-old defensive liability and pulling your only source of rim protection from the main five when you already have a smaller wing who’s struggling to stay in front of his man. Paul and Thompson starting games and playing extended stretches together might be untenable in 2023.
Primary backup shooting guard: Gary Payton II
The Warriors traded for GPII last season, reuniting the spunky do-it-all guard with Golden State’s second unit. Payton is a bullish defender with the strength to guard much bigger than his listed height of 6-foot-4, which makes him a natural fit in Golden State’s switch-heavy scheme.
On the offensive end, he’s a great connector of dots, frequently making the unselfish play and moving without the ball. He finishes well on cuts to the rim and he’s enough of a shooter to stay on the floor once the postseason arrives.
Others who could receive minutes at shooting guard: Brandin Podziemski
The Warriors selected Brandin Podziemski out of Santa Clara with the No. 19 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft. Odds are the rookie won’t see the floor much for a contending team, but Podziemski is uniquely NBA-ready with his team-aware defense, effortless 3-point shot, and high basketball I.Q.
He’s one of the best passers from the 2023 draft class and he feels like a natural fit in Kerr’s offense. Podziemski will also get to learn from the best in the business at his position. Who better for a rookie combo guard to apprentice under than Curry, Thompson, and Paul?