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The Golden State Warriors are still championship contenders

By Justin Fried

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Toronto Raptors in the second half during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Toronto Raptors in the second half during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors may have lost some major pieces this offseason, but they should still be considered championship contenders until further notice.

The Golden State Warriors went into this offseason anticipating some significant overhaul. And while some teams would have opted for a full-on rebuild, the Warriors simply reloaded.

The departure of Kevin Durant was something that many had feared would happen, but it wasn’t all too surprising. As the end of the season drew near, it was clear that Durant was exploring his external options and that Golden State was no longer is No. 1 desired destination.

Losing Durant hurts, there are no two ways about it.

We’re talking about a former Rookie of the Year, league MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and 10-time All-Star. There’s simply no replacing that.

But at the very least, the Warriors had a plan. They did not, however, have a plan regarding the absence of star shooting guard Klay Thompson who suffered a torn ACL in the team’s final game of the season and will now miss most of next year.

That required some quick contingency planning on the part of team president Bob Myers. The sign-and-trade of Durant for rising All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell provided just that.

Even without Durant and Thompson, the Warriors have a core. That core will consist of Russell, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green with role players sprinkled throughout which should help keep the team competitive even in a tough Western Conference.

Now, it’s foolish to expect that the Warriors will be as good as prior seasons. You just can’t replace All-Pro talents like Durant and Thompson and the team’s lack of depth is still concerning.

light. Related Story. Is the Golden State Warriors roster finally finalized?

At the same time, it’s also foolish to just disregard a team that has made five straight NBA Finals appearances — winning three of them. The Warriors will return the same coach and two of the same All-Stars (three when Thompson returns) that led them to those appearances.

Even in a stacked Western Conference, you still have to consider the Warriors legitimate championship contenders.

Of course, this all is contingent on things going according to plan — allowing for anticipated hiccups along the way.

The team must stay healthy as any significant injury to the likes of Curry, Russell, or Green could spell an end not only to the Warriors’ championship aspirations but their playoff hopes, in general. It’s also imperative that Russell continues his development and meshes well with Curry and the rest of the roster.

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In many ways, Russell could be the team’s biggest X-factor heading into next season. But the success of the Warriors could hinge on their role players and depth around their three All-Stars.

How will the Warriors fill the gap at small forward while Thompson is out? Will Willie Cauley-Stein and Kevon Looney be able to hold down the center position over the full season? And will the Warriors have adequate guard depth when Curry and Russell come off the floor?

Those are all questions that are going to need to be answered over the duration of the season. And if more than one of those questions are answered in a negative fashion, then the Warriors might find themselves in some big trouble.

Inexperienced role players such as Jacob Evans, Jordan Poole, and Eric Paschall could be asked to play significant minutes this season and they’re going to need to if Golden State is going to continue to be competitive.

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But even if some things go south — which of course they will — the Warriors should still have enough talent to get them to somewhere around 50+ wins. That alone should earn them a five or six seed even in an ultra-competitive Western Conference.

And barring any setbacks for Thompson, a return within the final two months of the regular season seems plausible. That would give him plenty of time to get reacquainted with the team and shake off any rust from his injury.

Perhaps some of this is wishful thinking. But at the same time, it’s natural for fans of opposing teams to cheer for the downfall of a dynasty. It’s what makes teams like the New York Yankees, New England Patriots, and Warriors such great villains.

But time and time again, those teams prove that no matter how down they may seem, they’re never out.

Next. Golden State Warriors: Who will start at small forward next season?. dark

The Warriors may have been knocked down a few pegs this offseason, but counting them out is a mistake that mustn’t be made.

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