Warriors’ Offseason Plans Should Include Rotation Tweaks

Draymond Green‘s essentially guaranteed prediction that this season’s championship would return to The Bay again has fallen abruptly short. Granted, the loss of Steph Curry didn’t help. Nevertheless, the Golden State Warriors’ offseason plans just kicked into motion after falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Without Curry, the Warriors couldn’t match the T’Wolves in several categories. On top of that, Jimmy Butler was far removed from his popular alter-ego moniker, “playoff Jimmy.” The Warriors traded for him, expecting to get that side of Butler, but it wasn’t meant to be. With Golden State headed into the summer, there’s no question that roster tweaks are needed in a few vitally essential positions.

Warriors’ Offseason Plans Should Include Rotation Tweaks

The Golden State Warriors’ offseason plans must address key rotation positions to help Steph Curry

It’s tough to say that if Curry hadn’t injured his hamstring at the start of the series, the Warriors would have pulled this out and beaten the Timberwolves. Butler’s numbers were good enough if Curry had been available and scoring the brunt of the baskets. Unfortunately, Butler’s numbers weren’t good enough to cover for Curry, and without that happening, it was Minnesota’s series to lose. That said, it wasn’t just Curry’s absence that stymied the Warriors, but a few positions in which the Timberwolves were stronger, and it boosted their chances significantly.

Over the summer, it will fall to Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. to re-work Golden State’s roster to fit around Butler, Curry, and Green, who are all signed until 2027. Considering Butler signed an extension already, the Warriors appear set on moving forward with the trio in place. The next step is to surround the aging group with more than they currently have. It could mean that players like Jonathan Kuminga, for example, will be out the door sooner rather than later. It also means that centre and perimeter shooting improvements are likely coming down the pipe.

Positions that need bolstering

At the center, the Warriors are in a similar hole to Western Conference rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams entered this postseason without a true center and suffered for it. Like the Lakers, the Warriors had no one to stand beside Rudy Gobert. And while Green did everything he could to slow down Alperen Şengün in the first round, which he did masterfully, having a legitimate big man in the paint to not only help with Şengün, but also Steven Adams, would have been ideal. Kevon Looney was amazing for Golden State in their ’22 finals run, and the 10-year veteran has the hearts of Warriors fans, not to mention Steve Kerr and the organization. All that said, Looney is not going to cut it, and he hasn’t cut it since that ’22 championship. As for Quentin Post, he’s not ready to be a No.1 centre yet. Therefore, the Warriors must address the centre position. Relying on Green to play the 5 isn’t the best path forward.

After center, the Warriors need to look into more shooting. As on fire as Buddy Hield can be, and was at different points in these playoffs, his consistency was low. The same can be said for Brandin Podziemski, who can shoot the three, but again, the consistency isn’t there yet for him. Outside of Curry, the Warriors don’t have the most reliable threats from 23 feet out. Considering that Golden State’s specialty is outside shooting, improving in that area is integral going into next season.

 

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