Following back-to-back losses in the Western Conference play-in tournament, the Golden State Warriors were tasked with building a team around Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green that could make a run back to the postseason.
After the NBA draft and free agent moves that landed Golden State a trio of veterans, the team earned high marks from ESPN’s Kevin Pelton. Pelton assigned grades for all of the NBA’s Western Conference teams.
According to Pelton, the Warriors earned an A- grade for their offseason report card. The Los Angeles Clippers joined the Warriors as the only teams in the Western Conference to earn an A- grade.
Via ESPN:
Despite pocketing their taxpayer midlevel exception, the Warriors managed to upgrade their bench by adding veterans Nemanja Bjelica, Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr., all signed for the veterans minimum. Golden State also will benefit from getting Klay Thompson back after two seasons lost to ACL and Achilles tendon injuries, though the Warriors don’t get any credit for that here.
Along with approving their veteran free agent acquisitions, Pelton liked what the Warriors did in the draft with their selections of G League Ignite forward Jonathan Kuminga and Arkansas guard Moses Moody.
In the long run, Golden State’s pair of lottery picks will have more impact on the team’s outlook. I liked both Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody where they were drafted, No. 7 and No. 14, respectively.
The Warriors will get a glimpse at their offseason additions alongside Curry, Green, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney in the preseason starting on Oct. 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers. The new-look Warriors will get training camp and five preseason games before suiting against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on the opening night of the NBA on Oct. 19 in Hollywood.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
Related
Warriors’ Kevon Looney named MVP, helps I-Can All-Stars win Drew League championship
Warriors’ Moses Moody throws out first pitch at Oakland A’s game
Warriors’ Klay Thompson reacts to Oakland A’s third baseman Matt Chapman wearing his No. 11 jersey
List
Predicting every Warrior player’s rating in NBA 2K22
