The Warriors’ 2022-23 campaign ended with but a whimper as the Lakers dispatched of the then defending champs in six games in the Western Conference Semis. Can a re-jigged roster extend the Warriors dynasty or is their near decade-long run atop the NBA nearing its conclusion? In these previews, we will take a look at each team’s key acquisitions, fantasy stars, and predicted finish.
Key Acquisitions
Golden State’s biggest swing over the offseason was shipping disgruntled guard Jordan Poole to D.C. in exchange for a 38-year-old Chris Paul.
The seamlessness of Paul’s injection into the rotation will be one of the biggest keys for the Warriors this season along with the health of their core group.
ESPN’s Marc Spears has reported that he expects Paul to be elevated into the starting lineup likely at the expense of stalwart bigman Kevon Looney.
Last season, Paul appeared in 59 games for the Suns averaging 13.9 ppg and 8.9 apg on 55.5 TS% during the regular season but endured a tough playoff run averaging 12.4 ppg and 7.4 apg on 46.9 TS% in seven starts before sitting out Phoenix’s final four games with a groin issue.
Still an elite playmaker and steady three-point shooter, Paul offers the Warriors a foil that they have previously not had even if his pick-and-roll-heavy offensive preferences clash with Golden State’s free-flowing, motion offence a little on paper.
The loss of Donte DiVincenzo presents another hole that Steve Kerr and co. will be forced to plug with incoming veteran Cory Joseph, rookie Brandin Podziemski, and trade deadline acquisition Gary Payton II among the names vying for the extra minutes.
Fantasy Stars
Stephen Curry (7th overall, 4th PG) has been the face of the franchise for over a decade and enters Year 14 with the hope of washing last season’s bitter taste out of the team’s mouth.
His MVP-level production has showed no signs of slowing down in recent years with the now 35-year-old fresh off a year in which he averaged 29.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, and 6.3 apg whilst shooting 42.7 per cent on 11.4 three-point attempts nightly.
Projected Finish
Having finished a game ahead of the play-in picture a year ago, the Warriors will be eager to make improvements this regular season.
The combination of Curry (26 games missed) and Andrew Wiggins (45 games missed) both spending chunks of last season sidelined and a dreadful road record (11-30) made for a bumpy season.
A top-four seed is in play for the Dubs and should be the goal but, if the Paul experiment offers mixed results and they fail to address their road woes, they may find themselves slugging it out the hard way in the play-in.
