The Golden State Warriors have had an interesting offseason in 2024 because one-half of the Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson, has walked away for nothing, and that leaves Stephen Curry and Draymond Green as the only remaining members of the iconic Big Three that once won four NBA titles together.
The Warriors are heading into the 2024-25 NBA season without the fear factor of being a title contender, because Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton, and Kyle Anderson simply won’t be enough to make them a legitimate challenger to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Oklahoma City Thunder. So far, in the 2024 offseason, the Warriors have made five major mistakes when it comes to building the roster.
Letting Klay Thompson Walk Away For Nothing
The decision to let Klay Thompson walk away for nothing is arguably the biggest mistake of the Warriors’ 2024 offseason. Thompson, a cornerstone of the Warriors’ dynasty, not only brought elite shooting but also defensive prowess and a championship mentality even if his steady decline is evident (17.9 PPG on 38.7% 3-PT FG in 2023-24). Thompson is a new member of the Dallas Mavericks after agreeing to a three-year, $50 million deal to play alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
His departure leaves a void that Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton, and Kyle Anderson cannot fill. While these players are competent, none of them possess Thompson’s unique blend of skills and experience, which have been crucial in Golden State’s past successes. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green now remain as the last remnants of the original Big Three, and the emotional and psychological effects of losing such a key player should not be underestimated.
The Warriors have always been known for their tight-knit core, and Thompson’s absence disrupts this dynamic. Furthermore, the Warriors failed to secure any assets in return for Thompson, missing an opportunity to bolster their roster or acquire valuable draft picks. Letting Thompson walk without any compensation limits the Warriors’ flexibility in building a competitive team. The Warriors might find themselves struggling to attract top-tier talent in the future, as they no longer have the allure of a championship core with Thompson as part of the pitch.
Not Pulling The Trigger On Paul George
The Warriors’ hesitation to trade for Paul George (22.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.5 APG in 2023-24) is another significant misstep because the superstar swingman went on to form a new Big Three with the Philadelphia 76ers alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey after signing a four-year, $212 million deal. George, a perennial All-Star and one of the league’s premier two-way players could have provided the Warriors with a much-needed boost on both ends of the floor. His ability to score, defend multiple positions, and create plays would have perfectly complemented Curry and Green. Moreover, George’s playoff experience and leadership would have been invaluable for a team looking to return to title contention.
By not acquiring George, the Warriors missed out on an opportunity to solidify their standing in the Western Conference. The addition of George would have instantly elevated the Warriors’ status and likely kept them in the conversation as legitimate contenders. Instead, the Warriors now face a more daunting task of competing against powerhouses like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Oklahoma City Thunder, all of whom will be major contenders to win it all.
The reluctance to pull the trigger on the Paul George trade may also indicate a broader issue within the Warriors’ front office—an aversion to making bold moves. While caution can be beneficial, in this instance, it has left the Warriors with a roster that lacks the star power and versatility needed to compete at the highest level.
Delaying A Trade For Lauri Markkanen (Mistake Continues)
The ongoing delay in trading for Lauri Markkanen is a critical error that continues to hinder the Warriors’ offseason strategy. Markkanen, a versatile forward with a unique combination of size, shooting, and ball-handling skills, would be an ideal fit in the Warriors’ system. His ability to stretch the floor and create mismatches would have opened up the offense, providing more space for Curry to operate and reducing the defensive load on Green. Last season, the Finnish star averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game on 39.9% from three.
Markkanen’s potential impact on the Warriors cannot be overstated and the Warriors might have to part ways with Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski to make this deal work along with fillers such as Gary Payton II or even Andrew Wiggins. In a league increasingly valuing stretch bigs who can defend and shoot, Markkanen’s presence would have modernized the Warriors’ lineup. Delaying the trade has not only allowed other teams to potentially enter the fray for his services but also signals a lack of urgency from the Warriors’ front office. This procrastination could result in losing out on a player who could significantly influence their championship aspirations.
Furthermore, the delay in acquiring Markkanen highlights a missed opportunity to address roster imbalances. The Warriors need more frontcourt depth and scoring options to compete with the elite teams in the West. By not securing Markkanen earlier, the Warriors have allowed uncertainty to loom over their offseason plans, potentially undermining team cohesion and preparation for the upcoming season. This indecision continues to be a blemish on their offseason strategy.
Not Having The Courage To Land Myles Turner
Failing to secure Myles Turner (17.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.9 BPG) is another glaring oversight by the Warriors this offseason. Turner, one of the best rim protectors in the league, would have addressed a significant defensive weakness for Golden State. His shot-blocking ability and defensive presence in the paint would have anchored the Warriors’ defense, providing a much-needed deterrent against teams with dominant interior players. Additionally, Turner’s ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting would have been a valuable asset on offense.
Turner’s skill set would have seamlessly integrated with the Warriors’ style of play. His defensive prowess would have allowed Green to focus more on his versatile defensive role, while on offense, Turner’s shooting would have created more spacing for Curry and other perimeter players. The Warriors’ hesitation to pursue Turner aggressively shows a lack of vision and a missed opportunity to add a player who could have made an immediate and profound impact on both ends of the court.
A potential trade package could have included Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney because Turner is a free agent after this season and will likely demand more than the $19,928,500 he is making in 2024-25. The Warriors’ front office must recognize that incremental improvements are not enough in a highly competitive Western Conference because an aging Draymond Green or offensively inconsistent Kevon Looney won’t be enough at center to make a difference.
Failing To Trade Declining Assets Including Andrew Wiggins
The decision not to trade declining assets, particularly Andrew Wiggins, is another major miscalculation by the Warriors. Wiggins, while still a capable player, has shown signs of regression and inconsistency after only averaging 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game on 35.8% from three. His sizeable contract ($28,223,215 in 2025-26, $30,169,644 player option in 2026-27) further complicates the Warriors’ financial flexibility, making it difficult to pursue other impactful players. By holding onto Wiggins, the Warriors have limited their ability to restructure their roster and bring in fresh talent that could better complement their remaining stars.
Trading Wiggins and other declining assets could have opened up significant cap space and provided valuable draft picks or young talent in return. This strategic move would have allowed the Warriors to rebuild around Curry and Green more effectively, ensuring they have a competitive team that can contend in the tough Western Conference. Instead, the Warriors’ hesitation to move Wiggins keeps them tethered to a contract that hampers their ability to make necessary roster adjustments. The same applies to a player like Kevon Looney ($8,000,000 in 2024-25, free agent in 2025-26) who isn’t offensively consistent and only averaged 4.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season.
Moreover, the failure to trade declining assets sends a message of complacency. The Warriors need to demonstrate a willingness to make tough decisions to maintain their competitive edge. By not leveraging Wiggins and other assets to acquire better-fitting pieces, the Warriors risk stagnation and decline.
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