Curry’s Comments During Media Day Indicate Expectation to Contend

When one of the greatest basketball players to ever lace em up, and the undisputed best player in franchise history commits to signing an extension to stay in one place through their late thirties, the expectation is that the team around him will be up to standard to compete for an elusive fifth NBA championship. With all that Warriors guard Stephen Curry has done for the Golden State Warriors throughout his 15-year career in The Bay, there are hopes of a title every year he continues to perform at an All-NBA level.

Though a recurring theme throughout the Warriors’ dynastic run was “Strength in Numbers,” and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. did address the overall depth of the roster, they failed to meet one gaping hole that could prove to be the downfall and derailment to a fast start. It’s the question mark concerning who the second scoring option will be.

Golden State was hesitant to unload assets for a blockbuster trade for Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, with good reason, with the asking price being rather steep for the one-time all-star. On Friday, news of a Karl Anthony Towns trade to the New York Knicks shook the NBA world, leaving Warriors fans questioning if the team had checked in on a trade that would not only solve the second scoring option problem with one of the best scoring big men in the league—also solving the lack of size issue that has plagued the team in recent years. All at the low price of one pick and two rotation players.

“We have a chance to be relevant early and then reassess,” Curry said.

In the post-Kevin Durant era in Golden State, the Warriors have one season where they got out of the gates hot, in 2021-22 (finished as NBA champs). Starting 18-2, all before Klay Thompson had even returned. The Warriors can not falter early in the season and fall in the standings. Playing catch-up is not an ideal way of spending a third straight season.

If it is evident the Warriors are a tier below the true contenders of the West by the time the In Season Tournament is finished (early December) the Warriors front office will need to be aggressive in order to salvage one of Curry’s last few prime seasons.

A day before the Towns trade to New York, Dunleavy Jr. addressed the media.

“We're probably as impatient as a franchise as you can be right now given our time horizon and all that,” Dunleavy Jr. said.

Golden State hopes the young core simultaneously takes a giant leap in their game. With fourth-year player Jonathan Kuminga establishing himself as a clear second option, along with Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody contributing at a high level. The Warriors can not be hesitant to deal away young players if it is at the expense of maximizing the prime of Curry during his final years.