The Golden State Warriors won the 2022 NBA championship, and many believe they have a good chance of repeating as champions next season. They have a good number of talent on their roster, and their championship window is still wide open, as they have a burgeoning young core that is waiting in the wings to take over as their original star trio gets older.
The Warriors have some new pieces in play that must be integrated into their system, as key veterans such as Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. left to join other franchises. Some of their younger players, such as Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, are also set for bigger roles. It’s clear that coach Steve Kerr has some decisions to make in terms of his rotations.
In this article, we will cover what the most realistic starting lineup and roster for the Golden State Warriors next season potentially looks like.Â
The Warriors Don’t Need Any Major Changes
It seems unlikely that the Golden State Warriors will end up making any big changes to their roster. They just won a championship, and it doesn’t make any sense to demolish a roster that managed to win at the highest level. While not making a consolidation trade for a star-level player such as Kevin Durant has its risks, the Golden State Warriors probably have faith in their current core to get it done once again next year.
The one important thing about the Golden State Warriors during the Stephen Curry era is that they’ve mostly had good depth, and that is no different here. The team has solid players at every roster slot 1-10, and that will definitely give them an advantage against teams that are extremely top-heavy and have less talent among the role players surrounding their stars. If the team’s young players take a leap, the Warriors could potentially have the best overall roster in the league. The Warriors have resisted going all-in on one player in the past, and it is easy to see why that may end up being the case once again.
Of course, the team’s situation could end up being different as time goes on, and perhaps the Golden State Warriors will find a trade deal that is too good to refuse in the future. However, as of right now, it is clear that the team is comfortable with the roster they have, and it is evidenced by them mostly making moves to improve the back end of the roster rather than putting their hat in the ring for a star.
The Most Realistic Roster For The Golden State Warriors
Starting Lineup: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
The Best Bench Players: Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman
The starting lineup is pretty straightforward for the Golden State Warriors in this scenario, as they would be starting the same lineup that won them the championship. This lineup is elite on both ends of the floor due to the offensive firepower provided by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and the lockdown defense given by Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney. There is no reason to go away from what worked for the team last season.Â
Kevon Looney starting at the C position might be a little surprising to some, as No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman is still on the roster. Wiseman is well-known for being a big man that is versatile offensively, possessing some ball handling ability and shooting touch. There could be an argument made that James Wiseman should immediately start due to his talent. However, it makes sense for the long-tenured veteran in Kevon Looney to retain his starting job until James Wiseman proves that he can handle it, particularly on the defensive end. The Warriors have always emphasized defense under Steve Kerr, and that will be no different next year.
Jordan Poole will be the first man off the bench, with Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga also likely getting good rotational minutes as well. There might be times where those players end up starting as well, in the event that some players from the starting lineup end up injured. The priority for the Warriors is obviously to win, but they have also clearly placed some importance on player development as well.
Overall, this is clearly the best player configuration for the Golden State Warriors going into next season. Of course, there can certainly be some changes as the season goes on, but this would likely be the way the bench and the starting lineup look on opening night.
The Warriors Can Repeat As Champions Next Year
There is no doubt that the Golden State Warriors have the ability to win a championship with their current roster. The majority of their core players for next year will remain the same as this past season. They also signed solid veterans this past offseason, and one can expect their young players to make improvements to their game and get places in the rotation. The Golden State Warriors are clearly in a good position to repeat, and they can field one of the best starting fives in the Western Conference.
Obviously, there’s no guarantee that the Golden State Warriors end up getting back to the Finals, as there will be multiple top-tier contenders in the Western Conference, such as the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets. However, it is fair to say that the Golden State Warriors will have continuity and chemistry on their side, as well as the obvious advantage of most of their roster having championship experience.
Stephen Curry continuing to play at a high level will be key for the team. It is quite clear that he is still in his prime, and that was on display in the NBA Finals. Next season, it is quite possible that we see another All-NBA to MVP caliber season from Stephen Curry on an individual level.
In terms of the regular season, we might not see the Warriors finish as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but they will still be a threat to win a championship no matter their record. The Warriors will likely still be a top-3 seed, though, and they will continue to be an elite defensive team that is well-coached and disciplined.
