2024-25 NBA Season Preview: Golden State Warriors

2024-25 NBA Season Preview: Golden State Warriors

The 2024-25 NBA Season is right around the corner! Up until Oct. 22, we will be previewing all 30 NBA teams. Today, we are going to dive into the Golden State Warriors, who suffered an unfortunate play-in exit to an in-state foe last season. Without further ado, let’s jump right into it!

What happened last year?

Last year was more stable for Golden State than its previous season, though it still wasn’t perfect. Veteran forward Draymond Green put Rudy Gobert in a chokehold followed by elbowing Jusuf Nurkic in the face, resulting in a lengthy absence.

As a result, Jonathan Kuminga blossomed. The Warriors also got a strong contribution from Brandin Podziemski, drafted No. 19 overall in the 2023 cycle, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, their No. 57 overall selection. Those three players ultimately started 90 combined games, with Kuminga and Jackson-Davis earning starting nods by the end of the season.

The youngins propelled Golden State to a 46-36 record, netting the No. 10 seed in a loaded Western Conference. A play-in exit against the Sacramento Kings, who they had beaten 12 months prior, was its fate.

Offseason Recap:

After 13 historically great seasons, Klay Thompson hit the open market for the first time in his career and chose the Dallas Mavericks, the reigning Western Conference champions. Extension talks went silent, which led Thompson to choose between the Mavericks and Lakers. The Warriors did add De’Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson and sharpshooter Buddy Hield, however, three solid replacements make Golden State more balanced. Brandin Podziemski was in the thick of trade rumors for Lauri Markkanen, but those talks stagnated before Markkanen signed a lucrative five-year extension with Utah. It was a productive offseason for Golden State.

Projected Starting 5:

Stephen Curry, G – Curry won his first-ever gold medal with Team USA this offseason and looks as good as ever at 36-years-old heading into his 16th season.

De’Anthony Melton, G – Any one of Melton, Hield or Podziemski could earn this starting spot. But for now, we’ll pencil Melton in there. He’s developed into a very good 3-and-D player. He averaged 11.1 points on 36.0 percent shooting from 3-point range on 5.6 triple tries, where he took nearly 50 percent of his attempts last season. Melton’s an above-average defender and a good rebounder for his position. He’ll do a good job shoring up the point-of-attack defensive struggles they had last season.

Andrew Wiggins, F – Wiggins spent portions of 2022-23 and 2023-24 away from the team due to assisting his ailing father, Mitchell, who played six seasons in the NBA from 1983-92. On Sept. 13, Wiggins lost his father. Andrew, who’s played 108 combined games each of the last two seasons, will be entering his age-29 season.

Draymond Green, F – Green missed 27 combined games last season due to suspension, but was still an integral piece to their structure when he was on the floor. He’s their vocal leader, especially on the defensive end, where they’ve graded in the 80th percentile or better in four of his last seasons when he’s been on the floor.

Trayce Jackson-Davis, F/C – Jackson-Davis, the No. 57 overall pick in the 2023 draft, emerged as Golden State’s best center (ahead of Kevon Looney) last season. He averaged 10.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25.3 minutes over his last 11 starts.

Notable Reserves:

Jonathan Kuminga, F – I could see the 21-year-old beating Wiggins for the starting small forward spot. He broke through last season, averaging 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds on 52.9 percent shooting and 59.8 percent true-shooting. It’s hard not to be encouraged by his development, even though it ruffled some feathers with head coach Steve Kerr midway through last season.

Brandin Podziemski, G/F – Outside of consistent free-throw shooting, the 6-foot-5 Swiss army knife does practically everything at an above-average level on a basketball court. He’s only going to continue to ascend. Every team needs a Podz.

Kyle Anderson, F – Slo-Mo!!

Biggest X-Factor: Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski

I’m going to lump both of the team’s top young players here, because I think they’re both equally important in different ways.

Golden State thinks very highly of Podziemski, and rightfully so! While I believe Melton and Hield can take some of the weight off Curry’s shoulders, without Thompson or Chris Paul in the mix, I think Podziemski will have more responsibility on- and off-ball when he’s on the court. I am comfortable saying that he’s going to take that next step on both ends, but will it be this season? That remains to be seen.

As for Kuminga, the hyper-athletic forward is viewed as “next up” behind Draymond Green, who’s entering the latter stages of his illustrious career. Kuminga may not ever be the defender that Green was, but he averaged 22.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 blocks per 75 possessions last year. If can build upon last year while remaining consistent, he’s in line for a long career in this league.

Season Projection:

I say they go 48-34 as the No. 6 seed in the West this season.

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