The Golden State Warriors have been making headlines this offseason with their aggressive approach to upgrading their roster.
Latest update: Warriors Continue Trade Pursuits Following Lauri Markkanen’s Deal
With 36-year-old Stephen Curry at the helm, the Warriors know they’re in a championship window and are eager to build a competitive team before Curry’s eventual retirement. However, they are also thoughtful about sustaining success for the years that follow.
One example of their cautious approach is their failed attempt to trade for All-Star Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz. The Jazz were reportedly keen on acquiring second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, but the Warriors opted to keep him. Consequently, Markkanen signed a lucrative five-year extension with the Jazz.
Markkanen wasn’t the only star the Warriors targeted this offseason. They initially made a strong bid for Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers, even offering him a four-year max extension due to his potential impact on the team. However, the Clippers didn’t want to trade him to a Western Conference rival, leading George to decline his player option and sign with the Philadelphia 76ers for a hefty four-year deal.
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This offseason, the Warriors did bring in guards Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton, along with forward Kyle Anderson, though they experienced a significant loss with four-time champion Klay Thompson heading to Dallas via sign-and-trade.
Despite missing out on several big names, the Warriors feel optimistic about their current roster as they prepare for the 2024-25 season. According to Kendra Andrews of ESPN, the team doesn’t feel pressed to make further trades.
“As of now, there are no players the Warriors are actively pursuing who are ‘reasonably available,’” Andrews reported. “They feel confident that the moves they’ve made will enhance their performance next season.”
As they look to bounce back from a 46-36 record and an early Play-In Tournament exit, the Warriors will likely rely on the core of Curry, Draymond Green, and their promising young talents. Whether that’ll be enough to elevate their game remains to be seen.