Are Golden State’s Playoff Hopes Officially Dead?

Golden State’s rocky start to the season was followed by terrible news last week.

After breaking his hand in a game against the Suns, Steph Curry will miss three months of the season. The team is currently 1-5.

Curry, the team’s leader, will join fellow All-Star Klay Thompson on the bench. Head coach Steve Kerr announced previously that Thompson is not expected to play this year following his ACL tear in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Outside of Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell, Golden State’s roster lacks much of any developed talent. The team’s starting five against the Hornets says it all (Charlotte would go on to win 93-87).

While Green and Russell’s injuries are day-to-day, the Warriors simply don’t have the talent to compete. Five players on the team’s rotation are in their sophomore or rookie season. In addition, they don’t have cap flexibility to make a move unless they trade Russell.

The franchise that has been to five straight NBA Finals is now a lottery team as currently constructed.

Can Golden State Save Their Season?

Unfortunately for Warriors fans, all good things must come to an end.

Draymond Green. Photo credited to AP.

Even if everything goes right upon Steph’s return, Golden State will almost certainly be too far back in the standings to make any sort of comeback, especially in the Western Conference.

Golden State could try and deal Russell for a collection of assets. With this move, the Warriors would have Curry, Thompson, Green, some decent role players and young talent to make a run in 2021.

With their playoff hopes appearing to be done for, developing young talent should become coach Kerr’s goal for the remainder of the season. Eric Paschall, Omari Spellman and Jordan Poole all have potential to be decent players.

Curry’s injury has effectively killed Golden State’s playoff hopes. The Warriors will have a high pick in the 2020 Draft for the first time in recent memory.

Featured image credited to AP.

Stats credited to basketball-reference.com.

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