NBA: Re-seeding the Western Conference heading into 2019-20

6. Golden State Warriors

Last season: 57-25, 1st in Western Conference

Notable additions: D’Angelo Russell, Alec Burks, Willie Cauley-Stein, Glenn Robinson III

Notable subtractions: Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Iguodala, Jordan Bell, Quinn Cook, Jonas Jerebko, Shaun Livingston

For a normal NBA team, losing one of the greatest scorers of all time in free agency and one of the greatest shooters of all time to a knee injury would guarantee a trip to the lottery. But the Golden State Warriors aren’t a normal team, and their title window could still be open despite Kevin Durant’s decision to sign with Brooklyn this offseason and Klay Thompson‘s torn ACL.

That’s mostly due to Stephen Curry, who will regain the mantle as Golden State’s unquestioned leader and look to return to his otherworldly MVP form. There were positive signs last season, as he posted his highest points per game since Durant’s arrival while still shooting at a 47/43/91 split. With Thompson expected to be out at least until the All-Star break, the Warriors will have to hope that Curry can at least keep them afloat and stay healthy doing so.

That’s where D’Angelo Russell comes in, with the All-Star guard part of Kevin Durant’s sign-and-trade to Brooklyn. Russell and Curry may not seem like a natural fit in the backcourt, as both are at their best with the ball in their hands and creating off the dribble. That should be more of a blessing than a curse, though, as the Warriors can get creative with their rotations, staggering the minutes of the two and giving Curry the chance to rest off the ball and curl off screens when they do share the court.

Draymond Green will continue to quarterback the defense after signing an extension, but the rest of the rotation is something of a lottery at this point. Thompson will likely slot in as the starting small forward when he returns, but until then any of Alfonzo McKinnie, Glen Robinson, Alec Burks, and Jacob Evans could plausibly fill the role. The center depth is also fairly thin, with Kevon Looney and Willie Cauley-Stein likely to fight for the starting spot, but Golden State’s ability to play smaller with Green at the five means that should be less of an issue.

Losing a huge chunk of their rotation certainly hurts the Warriors, especially when that chunk includes one former MVP, one finals MVP, one All-NBA big man, and four championship rotational players. But the Warriors are still primed for a successful season, and once they’re back at full strength in the playoffs they will be as dangerous as anyone.