The early reporting suggests that Chris Paul may be a day 1 starter for the Golden State Warriors heading into training camp.
To say that trading for Chris Paul was a confusing move by the Golden State Warriors would be a massive understatement. In a largely head-scratching move, the Warriors traded Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, a 2027 second-round pick, a 2030 first-round pick (top 20 protected), and cash to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Paul – after he was traded from Phoenix to the Wizards as part of the Bradley Beal deal.
Even though it does qualify as a move that makes sense in theory, considering the Warriors should be all-in on winning another NBA Championship, I’m not sure how much it makes sense with Stephen Curry already on the roster.
Nevertheless, if it is going to work, you’d have to imagine that it would be because Paul is ready to take on a super sixth-man role for the team. However, that may not exactly be the case. ESPN’s Marc Spears recently admitted that he’s hearing that Paul is expected to start this season, at least early on. So much so that he firmly believes that’s the plan, for now, for Paul and the Warriors.
The question is, would that be a smart move for the Warriors? And would it actually work?
Is there a way where Curry and Paul would work as a starting backcourt for the Golden State Warriors?
Assuming this report is accurate, the Warriors are going to enter the season with a projected starting lineup of Paul, Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green. I understand that it makes sense to get your most talented players on the roster at the same time but that’s an extremely small lineup.
Especially when you consider that Thompson and Green are no longer the players they used to be during their primes on the defensive end of the floor.
If this is the starting lineup that the Warriors would be rolling out, there will certainly be some big concerns, even if it is just in the backcourt. Then again, do the Warriors make a move for Paul without guaranteeing him a starting spot – or, at the very least, the opportunity to earn a starting spot?
Heading into the start of training camp, the Warriors will be one of the teams that many will overlook due to their veteran experience but how they handle Paul has to be considered one of the most intriguing on-the-court storylines this season.