NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton believes that the Golden State Warriors will go back into championship contention next season.
There are only seven games left remaining in this NBA season. The champions will either be the Los Angeles Lakers or the Miami Heat. All the other 28 teams in the league will have their eyes glued to their televisions to scrutinize both teams that are left playing.
This will be particularly true for the Golden State Warriors. The 2019-2020 NBA season could be considered the team’s breather after five straight years of playing full seasons. Next season, whenever that will be, the Warriors will return in full health, albeit a bit older than their championship years.
Gary Payton thinks the Warriors will compete again
This season, only Draymond Green played a considerable number of games among the core players of the Warriors. Steph Curry had to nurse a broken hand after just a couple of games into the season. On the other hand, Klay Thompson was still nursing his ACL tear from the previous season.
All three players were crucial in their five championship runs, and their performance next year will be crucial if they can go back to their strong form. Gary Payton certainly thinks that the Warriors can get their mojo back. However, he believes that their run won’t be as sweet as their championship story in the past seasons. He said,
“They are not going to be the championship team that they were, but they are going to be good. They are going to be real good. You can’t always take away Klay and Steph Curry — a healthy duo who can shoot the basketball and keep you in games.”
He adds that they have to fill their roster up quite well in order to be their strong selves again. If not, they might entangle themselves in the thick of a talented Western Conference.
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid come?
The Warriors have several roster spots to fill up. They also have the cap space to sign a superstar to run alongside the trio of Green, Curry, and Thompson. Earlier rumors indicate that the next superstar to be with the three could either be Embiid or Antetokounmpo.
However, Embiid seems like he will not be released by the 76ers easily. Giannis, on the other hand, has already talked to the governor of the Milwaukee Bucks. Reports about the meeting have been scant. However, it seems like Giannis will be staying with the Bucks.
Nevertheless, NBA legend Allen Iverson hasn’t been shy to publicly share his opinion that he wants Giannis to be a Warrior. If such a thing happens, then the Warriors will immediately be boosted for an assured high rank in the West. Then again, it remains to be seen how the offseason will turn out.
One thing for sure is that the Warriors will make moves with the assets that they have on hand.
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