The 2024-25 NBA season is here! We’re breaking down the biggest questions, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy outlooks for all 30 teams. Enjoy!
Additions: Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton, Lindy Waters III
Subtractions: Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Dario Saric, Lester Quinones
Klay Thompson’s departure for the Dallas Mavericks ended one of the most successful partnerships in NBA history. The 34-year-old won four titles alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Golden State Warriors also let Chris Paul, 39, walk in free agency. They tried like hell to land another big name, but Paul George chose the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Utah Jazz opted not to trade Lauri Markkanen.
So the Warriors leaned into their youth and versatility. They retained homegrown trade chips Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski, none of whom is the centerpiece of a deal on his own. All three should be quality players. Just how good remains the question. None of them are older than 22.
Kuminga has the most potential. He is a bouncy wing with an erratic jump shot. They already have Andrew Wiggins, who fits a similar description, at least since his jumper returned to league average.
The Warriors also acquired Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton — three more quality players. Neither Hield nor Melton earned consistent playoff minutes for the Sixers. Anderson gave the Minnesota Timberwolves inconsistent playoff time, too. They are fine as regular-season innings eaters.
Finding the right combination of players to field around Curry could be a nightly game of roulette for head coach Steve Kerr. The Warriors want to play faster, and they have the team for it. But what are they getting game to game from this collection of quality players? Podziemski might be the most dependable of the bunch, and he is the least experienced. Kerr needs consistent two-way play from at least three of them a night, but if one’s shot is off or another is not playing defense, he will be searching for answers.
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And that is assuming Green can still be the backbone of an elite defense at age 34. Golden State expects Green to raise everyone’s level on defense the way Curry does on offense. We have seen each be the game’s best in his element over the years. And we just saw Curry elevate over everyone for a stretch of the Olympics. But Green has lost a step. Maybe a step and a half. He missed 27 games to injury and suspension last season and failed to make an All-Defensive team for the first time since 2020. Will Green become more erratic as both he and Golden State grapple with the reality that neither are at their best?
They still have Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis to lighten the load in the frontcourt, but Green’s ability to play small-ball center at the highest level was always what unlocked the best of the Warriors.
They also had Thompson, who in his prime was both a top-flight defender and one of the best shooters to ever live. In the aftermath of his injuries he was no longer either, and that lowered their ceiling below title contention, save for the one playoff run in which Wiggins transformed into a reliable second option.
A collection of players cannot replace what was lost with Thompson in recent years. The respect he commanded bent the floor in Curry’s favor. As the Warriors carve out playing time for Kuminga and a center to spell Green, how do they maintain spacing for Curry? They will rely on a group of players who have been either too young or too one-dimensional to provide the consistent two-way play necessary.
In other words: Who do you expect to close games with Curry and Green? Not even Kerr knows.
If Wiggins reverts to form from the 2021-22 campaign, when he made his lone All-Star appearance; if Kuminga, Moody, Podziemski and Jackson-Davis expedite their development; if Anderson, Hield and Melton extend the rotation; and if Green can maintain an elite level of defense and remain available; then Curry should have enough around him to a) compete for a guaranteed playoff seed out West and b) convince the front office that they are indeed one deadline deal away from a return to title contention.
If the opposite is true — if Wiggins cannot match the value of his contract; if the youth movement is not ready for its next step; if the Warriors cannot round out a reliable rotation; and if Green is too old or too turbulent to unlock Golden State’s best potential lineup combinations — then they will be no better than they were last season, competing for a play-in tournament bid, in danger of missing the playoffs entirely.
The Warriors have a few late-rounders with breakout potential: Kuminga (ADP 92.8), Podziemski (ADP 117.0) and Jackson-Davis (ADP 126.5). Kuminga should see an uptick in points, 3s and rebounds in a starting and starring role with the Dubs.
In category leagues, I prefer Podziemski over Kuminga relative to ADP. Podz is a plus-rebounder for his position, hits more 3s and will generate more dimes and steals than Kuminga. Whether Podz starts or not, he has a sizable role with the Warriors.
Jackson-Davis will be great for FG% and blocks, but his minutes could fluctuate as Kerr settles in on a nine-man rotation. Look for a Green bounce-back campaign (ADP 102) with Melton on sleeper watch. Don’t bother drafting Wiggins in fantasy. — Dan Titus
Too many ifs; not enough sure things beyond Curry. Take the under.
