With only nine players currently on the roster, it’s hard to imagine the Golden State Warriors rivaling the best teams in the Western Conference. Of course, with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, it’s impossible to count them out, but they have an uphill battle.
If Golden State can resolve the Jonathan Kuminga contract standoff, things might turn around. Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II have all been linked to the Warriors, and they would provide excellent two-way depth.
However, with age catching up to them, their window is rapidly closing, and they have earned an unfavorable comparison to some LeBron James-led teams.
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors talk to each other after the Lakers beat the Warriors in double overtime at Chase Center on January 27, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors Compared to Los Angeles Lakers
In 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Finals. Avery Bradley, Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope all played sizable roles while were all yet to hit their prime age.
Within two years, all of them were off the team. Instead of developing young talent, the Lakers opted to trade for veterans, regardless of fit.
Since 2020, the Lakers have made it out of the first round only once. The Warriors, after winning it all in 2022, seem to be on the same path.
“It took them seven games to beat that flawed Houston team last year, and I don’t know what’s gonna be different as everybody’s a year older,” said Bill Simmons on his podcast regarding Golden State. “They’re gonna be healthier this year? We went through this with LeBron for the entire 2020s. Old guys get banged up as the season goes on. This is how it goes. I’m betting on youth every time.”
Despite their success with Butler in the lineup last season, Golden State needs all three of its aging stars to remain healthy. In an 82-game season, that’s far from a guarantee.
I have already said, the window is closed, in my opinion, on this iteration of the Steph Warriors winning a title,” agreed Zach Lowe. “I don’t see a roadmap for them to get back to prominence.”
In the West, the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder are seen as frontrunners, and after four years, the Lakers seem to have passed the Warriors in terms of championship odds.
Lakers Have Finally Fixed Their Problems
The Warriors, at least according to Simmons, have not learned a lesson yet.
Youth in the NBA is more reliable. Yes, Curry, Butler, and Green are all still good players, but there is no contingency plan for if one or multiple stars get hurt.
After years of building questionable lineups around James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers abandoned that plan, trading Davis to the Dallas Mavericks and building around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as young centerpieces.
This offseason, Los Angeles’ three biggest splashes were Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia. While Smart and Ayton are proven veterans, the average age of that trio is 27 years old, four years younger than the 2021-22 team that missed the playoffs.
Curry is younger than James, so perhaps the Warriors will make an adjustment before he retires to maximize the time he has left. For now, fans shouldn’t hold their breath.
Stephen Curry’s Warriors Earn Unfavorable LeBron James Comparison