The 2024 NBA Draft is over and free agency is (almost) over. Trade exploration continues, at least for the Warriors, but there's a good chance they'll go into next season with their current roster.
Of course, that's not what they want, but it could end up that way. Golden State's roster is at 14 players, not including those on two-way contracts. Things could change drastically, and they certainly would if a big trade were to happen before the team arrives at training camp on Sept. 30.
Here's a rundown, in alphabetical order, of the 14 players who will be rostered when training camp opens on Tuesday:
Kyle Anderson (Season 11)
Versatility is his greatest asset. He has the playmaking ability of a point guard, but at 6-foot-9, he's taller than his position. He likes the nickname “Slow-Mo,” probably because, like fellow lazy slob Luka Doncic, he tends to go wherever he wants to go. Anderson can guard multiple positions, but he's at his best in the paint.
role: Second unit. Primarily behind Draymond Green, he is expected to play 16-22 minutes per game.
Stephen Curry (16th season)
The greatest player in franchise history is taking a jab at the clock. For how long? He's 36, the most feared shooting point guard in the league, and he has more gravitational power than anyone. No matter what jerseys the Warriors are wearing that night, he's still the sun they revolve around.
role: Starting point guard. Coach Steve Kerr wants Curry to play around 30 minutes per game, which is a reasonable plan.
Draymond Green (13th season)
The defensive director can still be a force, and his presence is crucial to the team's quest for 50 wins. Golden State went 13-14 without him last season and 33-22 with him. The league's most volatile player should have one focus and one goal: to play 75 games. It's time for Draymond to get in shape.
role: Starting power forward. Expected to play about 30 minutes per game. Draymond has played center at times, but at 34 years old, it's not feasible for him to play center most of the time.
Buddy Hield (9th season)
The Warriors knew they needed to replace Klay Thompson's shooting and production, but no one could fill that void better than Hield, whose shooting percentages have been roughly the same in recent years. Hield is nearly three years younger than Thompson and will make only a fraction of last season's salary.
role: Sixth man/second unit. Doesn't contribute much defensively, but has plenty of opportunities to score while playing 22-28 minutes.
Trayce Jackson-Davis (2nd season)
He was introduced to the NBA with some great moments. Among the lessons were always going to the rim and strengthening his transition defense. In his second year, Jackson-Davis should be a better finisher in the paint, a better screener and a more calculating rim protector.
role: That's yet to be determined, but we can expect him to see around 15-20 minutes per game with the second unit. He started 16 of 68 games last season and it's possible that he'll see a similar ratio next season. Coach Kerr liked TJD last season but remains wary of spacing him on the court when pairing him with Green.
Jonathan Kuminga (Season 4)
The team's No. 2 highlight machine behind Curry. Kuminga's development could have a big impact on the lineup and rotation, as he showed significant improvement last season. His situation could impact Andrew Wiggins, Green and Jackson-Davis.
role: TBD. If Kuminga's summer gift is a quicker, more reliable 3-point shot, perhaps he'll start and Wiggins will move to off guard. If not, he'll need to move between starting and second unit, depending on which position suits him best. Either way, he's expected to play 25-30 minutes per game.
Kevon Looney (Season 10)
Looney's strengths are his predictability — especially on offense, where he grabs rebounds, sets strong screens and provides satisfying defense — and those strengths, along with his organizational savvy, have kept him on the team. His offseason instructions were to work on his shooting to become a more efficient scorer.
role: He won't be in the rotation. Looney's playing time will be determined by need, and while his days as a regular starter are over, he can still slot into the lineup when the time comes.
De'Anthony Melton (Season 7)
Part of what made the Curry Thompson backcourt so great was Klay's strong defense before his two major injuries. One of three natural veteran additions, Melton has a 6-foot-8 wingspan and the on-ball ability to get it back. The combo guard is also a 37 percent shooter on 3-pointers.
role: TBD. As the team's best pure perimeter defender, he has a chance to earn a starting spot in training camp. Either way, he projects to play 18-25 minutes per game.
Moses Moody (Season 4)
With Moody being linked to a trade, the Warriors believe the 6-foot-6 wing with solid two-way tools will be important to the team's future. He's a career 36 percent shooter from 3-point range, but that number could improve with consistent playing time, and things are trending in that direction.
role: Second unit. Playing time will fluctuate, but at least nine members are expected to be in the rotation during the regular season.
Gary Payton II (8th season)
A 6'3″ game-changing defender who excels at the dunker position, he's a unique player in a unique position. GP2 doesn't fit the category, but his defense in and around the paint is a plus. He specializes in serving the needs of the team at a particular time. He missed 38 games last season and the loss was evident.
role: In the rotation. Melton's presence could impact Payton's playing time, but it's hard to imagine him remaining healthy on the sidelines.
Brandin Podziemski (2nd season)
The hot-blooded combo guard from Santa Clara University had a big rookie season last year and is expected to be smarter and more effective going forward. His main directive this offseason is to be more aggressive on offense, especially with his 3-point shot. The signs are good.
role: TBD. He'll likely average 25-30 minutes as he works to win. A start in the backcourt alongside Curry isn't out of the question, but Podziemski would need to address concerns about his point of attack defense.
Guy Santos (2nd year)
Santos, the 2022 second-round draft pick (55th overall), is spending the summer with Brazil, which qualified for the Paris Olympics. The Warriors believe Santos, a 6-foot-8 forward who has some skill and plays with conviction, has a future in the NBA.
role: TBD. If he can make shots, Kerr will likely find an opportunity to get him on the court.
Lindy Waters III
The Warriors liked the 6-foot-6 wing and acquired him in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Why? Because they believe in his shooting ability. He shot 39 percent in 121 games at Oklahoma State, 38 percent in a very limited appearance with the Thunder and 37 percent in the G League.
role: Potential rotation: As Curry and Green get older, Kerr plans to go deeper into the rotation — an adjustment San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich made with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker in their final seasons — which could work to Waters' advantage.
Andrew Wiggins (11th season)
The Warriors' eternal enigma, gifted and insane, is said to be working hard to recapture the form that made him an NBA All-Star three years ago and was such a force in the 2022 playoffs that he's a natural fit for the team. If the 29-year-old is successful, his $26.3 million price tag is a bargain. If he's not, he's a liability.
role: Starter. Whether he will be a guard or forward will be determined during training camp. Wiggins was out of the starting lineup for three weeks last season, but returned and remained in the starting lineup for the final three months. Unless his minutes are reduced, he will play 30 minutes per game.
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