HomeSportsGolden State Warriors 2024-25 season preview: Is Steph Curry's supporting cast good...

Golden State Warriors 2024-25 season preview: Is Steph Curry’s supporting cast good enough?

(Amber Matsumoto/Yahoo Sports illustration)

The 2024-2025 NBA season is here! We analyze the biggest questions, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy prospects for all 30 teams. Enjoy!




  • Additions: Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton, Lindy Waters III

  • Deductions: Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Dario Saric, Lester Quinones

  • Complete roster


Here's everything you need to know for the 2024-2025 NBA season. (Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports illustration)Here's everything you need to know for the 2024-2025 NBA season. (Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports illustration)

The big question: What will the post-Klay Warriors look like?

Klay Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks ended one of the most successful partnerships in NBA history. The 34-year-old won four titles alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Golden State Warriors also signed 39-year-old Chris Paul. They tried damn hard to land another big name, but Paul George chose the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Utah Jazz opted not to trade Lauri Markkanen.

So the Warriors leaned on their youth and versatility. They retained their own trade chips Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski, none of whom are the focus of a deal in their own right. All three have to be quality players. How good remains the question. None of them are older than 22 years old.

Kuminga has the most potential. He is a bouncy wing with an erratic jump shot. They already have Andrew Wiggins, who fits a similar description, at least since his jumper returned to competition average.

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The Warriors also acquired Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton – three more quality players. Neither Hield nor Melton earned consistent playoff minutes for the Sixers. Anderson also gave the Minnesota Timberwolves inconsistent playoff time. They are fine as inning eaters in the regular season.

Finding the right combination of players for Curry could be a nightly game of roulette for head coach Steve Kerr. The Warriors want to play faster and they have the team to do that. But what do they get game-to-game from this collection of quality players? Podziemski may be the most reliable of the bunch, but he has the least experience. Kerr needs consistent two-way play from at least three of them a night, but if one’s shot is off or the other isn’t playing defense, he’ll be looking for answers.

And that’s assuming Groen can still be the backbone of an elite defense at age 34. Golden State expects Groen to raise everyone’s level of defense like Curry does on offense. Over the years we have seen everyone be the best in the game in their element. And we just saw Curry rise above everyone else for part of the Olympics. But Groen has lost a step. Maybe a step and a half. He missed 27 games last season due to injury and suspension and failed to make an All-Defensive team for the first time since 2020. Will Green become more erratic as both he and Golden State grapple with the reality that neither is at his best?

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They still have Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis to lighten the load in the frontcourt, but Green’s ability to play small-ball center at the highest level was always what brought out the Warriors’ best.

They also had Thompson, who in his prime was both a top-level defender and one of the best shooters ever. In the wake of his injuries, he wasn’t either, and that lowered their title-challenge ceiling, save for that one playoff run where Wiggins transformed into a reliable second option.

A collection of players cannot replace what has been lost at Thompson in recent years. The respect he commanded tilted the floor in Curry’s favor. While the Warriors carve out playing time for Kuminga and a center to spell Green, how do they maintain spacing for Curry? They will rely on a group of players who have been too young or too one-dimensional to provide the consistent two-way play needed.

In other words, who do you expect to close the games with Curry and Green? Even Kerr doesn’t know.


If Wiggins returns to the form of the 2021-2022 season when he made his only All-Star appearance; as Kuminga, Moody, Podziemski and Jackson-Davis accelerate their development; if Anderson, Hield and Melton extend the rotation; and whether Groen can maintain an elite level of defense and remain available; then Curry should have enough going for him to a) compete for a guaranteed playoff seed from West and b) convince the front office that they are indeed one deadline deal away from a return to title contention.

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If the opposite is true – if Wiggins cannot match the value of his contract; if the youth movement is not ready for the next step; if the Warriors fail to complete a reliable rotation; and if Green is too old or too turbulent to unlock Golden State’s best potential lineup combinations – then they will be no better than last season, vying for a play-in tournament bid, with the threat of the playoffs completely missable.


The Warriors have a pair of late-rounders with breakout potential: Kuminga (ADP 92.8), Podziemski (ADP 117.0) and Jackson-Davis (ADP 126.5). Kuminga should see an increase in points, threes and rebounds in a starting and starring role for the Dubs.

In category competitions, I prefer Podziemski to Kuminga over ADP. Podz is a plus rebounder for his position, hits more threes and will generate more dimes and steals than Kuminga. Whether Podz starts or not, he will play a significant role for the Warriors.

Jackson-Davis will be great for FG% and blocks, but his minutes could fluctuate if Kerr gets a nine-man rotation. Look for a green rebound campaign (ADP 102) with Melton on sleeper watch. Don’t bother drafting Wiggins in fantasy. — Then Titus



Too much like; not enough sure things outside of Curry. Take the bottom.

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