The Golden State Warriors dominated the NBA for the better part of the 2010s. Led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, they went to five straight NBA Finals and won three titles.
Apart from the original trio, Kevin Durant contributed to the 2017 and 2018 NBA titles. However, when Durant left the team in 2019, many expected the Dubs to fall off. The Warriors proved their doubters wrong by lifting yet another Larry O'Brien trophy in 2022.
But as things stand right now, it's safe to assume that the Dubs' days of dominating the league are over. The departure of Thompson in the offseason further confirms a need for a change in the team's approach rather than relying on Curry to carry the team to success.
NBA insider offers a solution for the Warriors
After missing the playoffs last season, fans expected the Warriors to make big moves during the offseason. Instead, they lost a trusted veteran in Thompson. NBA insider Zach Lowe thinks the Dubs still have a chance to become championship contenders.
Lowe believes the organization needs to draft a quality player. He thinks the said player could become what Kawhi Leonard was for the San Antonio Spurs during the end of Tim Duncan's prime.
"It's going to take a home run, a lightning strike, something like the Spurs got with drafting Kawhi Leonard toward the end of Tim Duncan's prime," Lowe suggested. "This is what happens to great legends who stay with one team. ... They've got picks to trade. They are not dead yet but it's going to take one home run, lightning strike, to get back toward the top."
Leonard's rise during 2013 and 2014 allowed the Spurs to become a championship contender once again. In fact, the Spurs ended up winning the 2014 NBA Championship. While Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker were still the driving forces on the roster, Leonard's presence helped them overcome the Miami Heat.
After all, Kawhi took the task of guarding LeBron James and won the NBA Finals MVP in 2014. The Dubs need a young player to step up in the same way for Curry to continue to dominate come playoff time.
It's high time for the Warriors to help Curry
Steph Curry is coming off a sensational run at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Baby-Faced Assassin dominated the semifinal and gold medal matchups for Team USA. He proved he could still lead a team to glory if provided with a great supporting cast.
Keeping that in mind, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith questioned why can't the Warriors get another superstar to support Curry . It's true that an All-Star caliber player can make life easy for Curry. In fact, 2008 NBA champion Paul Pierce suggested that the Warriors should target Giannis Antetokounmpo . As per Pierce, it will propel Curry to winning the fifth NBA Championship of his career.
On the off chance, that the Dubs cannot get a player of that stature, the alternative option is for a current young star to step up. Jonathan Kuminga could be that player for the franchise. Kuminga had a breakout year last season as he averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game for the team.
Related: "It's very hard to keep things together in this league" – Curry doesn't think the Warriors' dynastic run will be replicated
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