The Golden State Warriors have fallen from the summit of the NBA into contention for the number one pick in the 2020 Draft. Injuries and departures have resulted in their decline this term, just months removed from narrowly failing to win their third crown in a row.
It has been a humbling experience for Warriors supporters, who have watched their side dominate the league for the past five years. Steph Curry and company appeared in five-straight NBA Finals, winning the title three times, producing levels of excellence on the court only matched by the great dynasties of the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics.
Kevin Durant was a huge part of their success over the last two seasons, and his injury in the NBA Finals played a significant role in the Warriors’ defeat to the Toronto Raptors. He opted to leave the club and not pursue a further title in the bay area, securing a trade move to the Brooklyn Nets. Klay Thompson was already ruled out for the majority of the 2019/20 season after he also suffered a serious injury in the Finals, and he will probably be held out to preserve his health for next term.
Curry was left to battle alone as part of the big three. It was proving to be an uphill challenge for Golden State even with him in the line-up, but the season changed drastically when the 30-year-old saw his campaign end due to a hand injury. Kerr’s men will now be forced to watch the post-season for the first time since 2012. It will give them time to heal their wounds from the years, with fans having to settle for Golden Warriors success on simulation titles such as NBA2K20 or the Basketball Star slot offered by Wildz Casino New Zealand.
The Warriors’ front office will have no time for rest ahead of the 2020/21 season with key decisions to be made regarding the future of the franchise. D’Angelo Russell’s stay with the team proved to be short-lived as he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal that brought Andrew Wiggins to the bay area. Wiggins has been an underachiever during his career after being selected first overall in the 2014 Draft. There could be hope for him to re-establish his career at Golden State to get back to his prime form of the 2016/17 season when he averaged 23.7 points per game.
There’s no Zion Williamson in the 2020 Draft for the Warriors to select with the number-one overall pick if they were to earn the selection through the lottery. James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards have been touted as potential options as big men for them to take, although LaMelo Ball could be the look to the future as a replacement for Curry and Thompson. Reports suggest that Golden State could even trade away the selection to land a leading star, especially if that man was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been mooted with a move away from the Milwaukee Bucks.
Even without Giannis, the top youth prospect will allow the Warriors to restock their bench to go with a fit-again Thompson and Curry along with Draymond Green and Wiggins on the court. Kerr and his team may have to bide their time this year, but the dynasty is far from done as long as Curry and Thompson remain at the peak of their powers. A year off might just be what they need to recharge before making another surge for the NBA Championship.
