What can the Golden State Warriors do?
Steph Curry is in the twilight of his career, but he’s shown over the last couple of seasons that he still has plenty of competitive basketball left in him as he enters his 18th season in the league.
Curry played in only 43 games last season, but averaged 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists on 46% shooting and 39% from three. Though he may not be the same player he was at the peak of his powers, he’s still very capable of carrying a good team through the regular season and into the playoffs.
The problem for the Warriors isn’t that they didn’t have a good team last year, thanks in part to injuries. But the team isn’t getting any younger, and health remains a concern.
Realistically, aside from trading Steph to a contender, how could they help him moving forward?
Start Yaxel Lendeborg
Looking at the current roster, one of the easiest solutions to improve the team next season is to start rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. It looks like this will happen, and it would be the correct call for Steve Kerr, and Yaxel will inject some youth and energy into the starting lineup.
He has the skill set to complement Curry and open the game up further for him with his passing, shooting, screening, and cutting.
Trade Brandin Podziemski And Draft Capital
The Warriors don’t have many player assets that might be desirable to other teams, but Podziemski is one of them as he’s in the last year of his rookie deal. He’s shown improvement in each season, and some team might be willing to acquire him as a building block for the future, while the Warriors could acquire a piece who better fits their current window.
If he isn’t traded, there is the possibility of the Warriors overpaying him as he hits restricted free agency when he isn’t a long-term solution.
As far as the draft picks go, this is all about helping Steph win. Those picks three years down the line aren't going to do that.
Trade Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green
Both will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, and while each might take a pay cut to remain with the team, the Warriors should explore the possibility of trading both men to get better pieces around Curry.
Another team might be willing to give up a longer-term contract to acquire the expiring deal of Butler or Green. The Warriors should try to find a quality young player or a more high-profile superstar that pairs better alongside Curry than an aging Draymond and an older Butler coming off ACL surgery.
