OKC Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors, 2019-20 team preview
After five years of dominating with the league’s greatest super team, the Golden State Warriors enter the 2019-20 campaign without a huge advantage. In fact, most pundits don’t rank them in the top tier expected to win the title.
That’s mostly due to the two of the core starting five not being in the mix. Kevin Durant moves to the East (Nets) and Klay Thompson will be out at least until after the All-Star break.
Yet, more than losing Durant it’s the loss of core contributors like Andre Iguodala (Grizzlies) and Shaun Livingston (retired) who hurt. Both provided defense and gave the Warriors their advantage of depth.
In the NBA Finals without stars or enough depth the Warriors suddenly lost that psychological edge they’ve held over teams.
To bolster the depth and losses the Warriors added D’Angelo Russell who they hope will fill in for Thompson. In addition, they added Glenn Robinson III and Willie Cauley-Stein as players who can provide two-way efforts.
Ultimately, how the new additions fit in and how quickly Steve Kerr can get this new troop vibing will be key to the Warriors’ success this season.
Players Added:
Free Agency:
G: Ky Bowman
G: Alec Burks
F: Marquese Chriss
F: Glenn Robinson III
C: Willie Cauley-Stein
Trade:
G: D’Angelo Russell (trade with Nets)
F: Omari Spellman (trade with Hawks)
Rookies:
F: Eric Paschall (No. 41)
G: Jordan Poole (No. 28)
F: Alen Smailagic (No. 39, via trade from Pelicans)
Departing Players:
Free Agents:
G: Quinn Cook (signed with Lakers)
G: Shaun Livingston (waived)
F/G: Julian Washburn (waived)
F: Jordan Bell (signed with Timberwolves)
F: Jonas Jerebko (signed with Khimki Moscow)
C: DeMarcus Cousins (signed with Lakers)
F: Marcus Derrickson (unrestricted)
C: Andrew Bogut (unrestricted)
Trade:
F: Kevin Durant (traded to Nets)
G: Shabazz Napier (traded to Timberwolves)
G/F: Treveon Graham (traded to Timberwolves)
F/G: Andre Iguodala (traded to Grizzlies)
C: Damian Jones (traded to Hawks)