Golden State Warriors: The state of the franchise entering the 2018 NBA offseason
Breaking down where the Golden State Warriors stand heading into the 2018 NBA offseason, where they will be looking to replenish their bench
A year after going 16-1 in the playoffs and winning the NBA championship, the Warriors were met with more of a challenge this past season.
The Warriors seemed complacent on some nights and understood that they were talented enough to win the title and not be the top seed in the Western Conference. As a result the Warriors went 58-24 this season which was good enough for the 2 seed, but the 58 wins were their fewest since 2013-14.
The playoffs proved to be more of a challenge this season as well as the Warriors would need five games to eliminate both their first round and Semifinals opponents. The Spurs and Pelicans were able to steal one game but neither gave the Warriors a real test.
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Then came the Western Conference Finals and the NBA’s top team in the regular season, the Houston Rockets. The Rockets were able to take a 3-2 series lead and seemed to have the Warriors in trouble but after game five it was announced that PG Chris Paul had a injury that would cause him to miss the next two games of the series.
With Paul out, the Rockets struggled and the Warriors, on the strength of their dominant third quarters, would win the next two games and take the series, 4-3.
In the NBA Finals, the Warriors would face LeBron James and the Cavaliers for the fourth straight season. Cleveland this time wouldn’t have Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers were simply not as talented as the Warriors. Golden State would take the series in a sweep.
Numbers:
- Record: 58-24
- Off Rtg: 112.3
- Def Rtg: 104.2
- Pace: 101.85
- EFG%: .569
- Net Rtg: 8.0
Starting 5:
- Stephen Curry: 26.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 6.1 APG
- Klay Thompson: 20.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.5 APG
- Kevin Durant: 26.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 5.4 APG
- Draymond Green: 11.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.3 APG
- Zaza Pachulia: 5.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.6 APG
Lineup record: 22-10
Draft picks and free agency outlook:
The Warriors own the 28th pick in the NBA draft and they could look to use it on a wing who can become a solid perimeter defender. As for free agency the Warriors are expected to overhaul their bench as several players like Pachulia, McGee, Looney, McCaw, and Young will likely not be re-signed. Look for Golden State to add some solid veterans who want a shot at a ring.
Burning question: Who will the Warriors add this offseason?
The Warriors will have several options and it’s already been mentioned that Rockets F Trevor Ariza could be interested in signing with the Warriors. After a year in which their bench wasn’t as effective as they’d like, next season it should be much improved.
Must Read: NBA Free Agency: Ranking the top 35 free agents of the 2018 offseason
Outlook:
The Warriors have won three championships in four years and they don’t appear to be slowing down. Golden State should be the favorite for next season and possibly for the next several years. They are the NBA’s premier team and are writing their names in the history books of the NBA.