Golden State Warriors: Is betting on young talent a flawed plan?

Are the Golden State Warriors making a big mistake by relying on their young talent to grow up quickly? 

With a healthy Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, even a little older, the Golden State Warriors are expected to be a dangerous dark horse in the Western Conference this season. Though, if they’re going to be a true championship contender, they’re going to need some of their other players to step up.

Specifically, the Warriors are going to need some of their young players – including James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody – to grow up quickly and emerge as contributors. If that doesn’t happen, there’s no guarantee that the Warriors will have enough fire-power to keep pace with some of the other contenders in the conference – especially if Thompson is eased back into the rotation.

The big question for the Warriors, though, is whether or not that’s a flawed plan or not. Interestingly enough, Draymond Green doesn’t exactly believe in the Warriors’ plan to balance their veteran stars with their young talent – perhaps the same talent that they could transform into a veteran supporting cast via the trade market.

"[via NBC Sports Bay Area]“Historically we have not seen that work where you’ve kind of got a mix of old, I wouldn’t say any of us are old, but older, Andre’s old as s–t actually. But a mixture of experience and hardly any experience, historically I think in just being a fan of the NBA, I can’t recall the last time you’ve seen someone have success with that, but in saying that that is our situation. So, you do what you got to do to make that situation work.”"

This is a loaded statement and perhaps this is Draymond speaking for the rest of the big three? Maybe it’s just him speaking his mind on the matter? Maybe it’s him just spewing nonsense and is a non-issue in the end.

Either way, it’s interesting and will make the rounds nonetheless. Even more so if the Warriors get off to a slow start or if their young players struggle individually to carve out a role in the rotation.

In fairness to the Warriors’ “plan” to mesh their big three with young talent, it did kind of work for the San Antonio Spurs? They won a championship with their original big three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker, and then won with that trio at a more advanced age along with a young Kawhi Leonard.

Nevertheless, point taken.

So, will the Warriors regret not trading two picks inside the top 14 of the 2021 NBA Draft for a veteran star or supporting cast member that could help this team make a big leap this season?

Time will ultimately answer that question and perhaps the Warriors still elect to pivot before the NBA Trade Deadline. One thing is clear, though. And that’s where Draymond lands on this approach to the season.