Stephen Curry and Draymond Green were the only players who entered Warriors camp with guaranteed starting jobs. ESPN’s Kendra Andrews takes a look at the battles for the other starting spots.
As Andrews details, De’Anthony Melton and Brandin Podziemski are fighting for the shooting guard spot with Buddy Hield pegged as a sixth man. Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney are the candidates to play up front next to Green. Jonathan Kuminga is pushing for the starting small forward job with Andrew Wiggins sidelined by an illness during training camp.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Hield made a nasty remark about Sacramento in a “hot mic” moment two seasons ago after the Kings traded him to the Pacers, but the Warriors swingman told Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee that he harbors no ill toward the organization or the city. “I’ll always love Sacramento,” Hield said. “Sacramento is kind of where my career started. I always thank (former GM) Vlade (Divac) and (team owner) Vivek (Ranadive) for reaching out and giving me an opportunity to come play for the city and this organization. My comments are my comments. I can’t take them back, but when you have a mic open, friendly conversation with your friends, and a hot mic catches you, you can’t take that back. I’ve got to take that on the chin, but I love Sacramento.”
- Rookie wing Ryan Dunn has opened some eyes during Suns training camp and could be the steal of the draft, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. Dunn only made a dozen three-pointers in 51 attempts during two seasons at Virginia, but has knocked down 12 on 27 attempts this preseason. Dunn’s strength entering the draft was his defense, so if he can continue to make threes, the 28th overall pick will be a valuable addition.
- Kai Jones didn’t appear in an NBA game last season after two disappointing years with the Hornets. Jones is competing for a roster spot on the Clippers after signing a training camp contract this summer. Head coach Tyronn Lue‘s advice to him hit home, he told Janis Carr of the Orange County Register. “(Lue) told me when I got here, that everything that I did in the past (I needed to) forgive myself, you know, just learn from it, grow from it and just be better,” Jones said.
Strange, this article has been up half an hour and Davey J hasn’t hyped Moody and complained about Podz yet..
Give it time. Wiggins is looking like the odd man out so he better pick up the pace to get some minutes.
@Cam
Wow, posting about a poster instead of the NBA or topic talked about. Real interesting and unique perspective to have, have not seen that before…are you saying you dont know ball then? /zzz
It shows how special you are and everyone knows it…
ChapmansVacuum post ratio on here is 10 posts about me for every 1 you have about ball, just mute me you weirdo
ChapmansVacuum is a weirdo because he doesn’t post the exact same thing for months at time. He also doesn’t call himself the greatest expert on this site. He also doesn’t constantly deride others. That makes him weird. Thank God for weirdos.
All of these “starting lineup” narratives dont matter in the slightest. I am content with this Warriors lineup being THIS deep. 14 guys and any combo can cook the best, this season is looking NICE for Dub Nation, real 2021-22 vibes for real…
Well Cam, after reading that last post I think I know why you said it. I’m guessing this Davey J character is a real Warriors homer because the guy is delusional. Kind of in the same realm as Jerry Jones and an old girlfriend of mine. .The truth is difficult for some people to accept.
@darthdragula
Talk ball or stay silent OR mute me – 3 whole options for everyone here!!!
I don’t think he is a Warriors Homer. He seems to have need for attention and everyone to tell him he is right.
So many question marks on this team…
All matters for nothing if Curry goes down for half the season…
A team with that many role players and no stars won’t be able to float without him…
Yawn. The question marks come from your ignorance. The Warriors, with Curry in the lineup, struggled through the 1st half of last season. They regularly gave up 120 points a night and had a negative point differential. When Draymond returned, they started holding teams to under 100. They had a positive point differential. They were over .500. Kuminga and Wiggins thrived being on the floor together. They will be fine.
Anyone else notice Klay Thompson versus the Clippers tonight?
21 minutes 0-9 from the field 0-6 from 3. I know in preseason you just are working on things and sets and stats don’t matter but still that’s an all too familiar line from him.
Watched a little of the game. Klay was forcing the ball and not setting his feet. Its much harder getting open when Curry is being double teamed. Klay needs Irving to be on the floor to get feet set.
arc89, agree the motion seemed off, but didn’t you think that he had good looks on all his 3’s? I did. And at least 6 of the 9 misses were bad — typically, short.
My theory: it’s his legs. Not only his shot, but on getting to the basket.
The Klay of 2018-19 didn’t brick 9 threes in a game. If the shot wasn’t falling, he’d get to the basket to get his game going. The post-injuries Klay just keeps on chucking.
Gary , here’s an interesting fact: Dubs fans know that Klay almost always starts the season badly and finishes strong — not just last season, but in the previous two seasons when he was available to start, 2022-23 and 2018-19, he shot under 33% from deep in the months of October & November.
Warriors fans+media would say “that’s just Klay, he’ll be rolling by February.” But this situation won’t be so forgiving…
Addition by substraction for sure. He was toxic in the locker room as well.
Could someone PLEASE post that this need for another “star” makes no inference that “stars” were at one time NOT “stars”. YEARS ago Curry Thompson Green Yada Yada were not stars yet. Lauri wasn’t always a star. George wasn’t always a star. In fact, early Paul George was comparable to today’s Kuminga. Point is, this “star” need overlooks the potential for current players to be those “stars”. Kuminga could be that “star” soon. Podz and Moody could be “stars” could be special. This “they need another star” whine ignores the fact that some players are “stars” in waiting.
I agree generally with you, but I wonder what the limits are on that development. Is 4 years enough to know?
In 2012, 3 years after drafting him, the Warriors traded Curry to the Bucks for Andrew Bogut. But, the doctors in Milwaukee nixed it at the last second. They said, because of his ankles, Curry wasn’t worth it. So, Monte Ellis was moved instead. Sometimes you have to wait goes that show promise.
I wanted the Spurs to draft Dunn but no they are ready to win it all they said
PG. Curry
SG. Heild
SF. Wiggins (give confidence to unlike you did to Klay)
PF. Green
C . ?
Podz needs to go to the bench or it will mess everything up. Have Podz and Kuminga be the the first to come into the game for Heild and the C
Trade Payton, Waters, Cash, 2nd pick and draft rights to two guys for a Veteran C.
Drummond, Jonas Val, Kelly Olynyk and Rasuan Holmes? Anybody
F a full rebuild let’s skip steps like so many others. Used to be a top tier managed
Claude Raymond,
Great post. The Warriors have an extremely promising YOUNG core in JK, Podz, TJD, and (hoping he stays) Moody. When Lakob and Dunleavy talk about a “disciplined” approach to improving the roster, it’s with your ideas in mind.
Luke 207, not sure what you mean by “skipping steps”, but I love the idea of having Podz and Kuminga come off the bench behind Heild and Richaun Holmes in a “full rebuild”. And the 5-for-1 for Kelly Olynyk is a no-brainer.
Why would you want to trade 3 players, 2 draft picks, and cash for a 33 year old with below average defense? Sounds like lottery time for the Warriors.
Giants74 , if you were responding to me, I was being sarcastic (because I thought Luke 207 was trolling).
OK. Sorry.
I’m talking about San Antonio skipping steps rebuilding Aristotle
I know you cannot read Giants74. Let me explain it simpler for you. Since you cannot add I will do it for you. TWO players, ONE draft pick and cash for ONE veteran C. Not THREE players and TWO draft picks. People love to be negative on this site. Aristotle why comment then? Why are these new age fans so clueless. I need to troll these trolls
Not being negative. I don’t understand why you would want to trade for Olynyk. He is 33 and can’t play defense. Heild, Curry and Olynyk are average to below average defenders. It makes no sense to start all 3 of them.