2023-24 Golden State Warriors Season Preview and Odds

October 18, 2023

The Golden State Warriors secured their fourth NBA championship in eight years in 2022, making them one of the greatest teams in NBA history. While this victory showcased familiar elements such as Stephen Curry’s three-pointers and Klay Thompson’s shooting skills, it did feel unique and more satisfying. They successfully overcame challenges, including injuries and departures of key players. In the very final moments of their 103-90 victory over the Celtics, Curry was seen emotional and teary-eyed, earning his first Finals MVP with such an exceptional performance. The victory can be owed to the contributions of seasoned players like Thompson and Green, as well as newcomers like Wiggins and Poole. The team’s strong defense was able to consistently frustrate the Celtics’ players, limiting Boston to less than 100 points in each of the four wins.

The Golden State Warriors faced quite a rough offseason in 2022-23, mainly because of internal issues and playoff disappointments after just a year of celebration. Their struggles, including injuries and personal matters, resulted in a lackluster regular-season record of 44-38. In the playoffs, they needed seven games and a 50-point performance from Stephen Curry to eliminate the Sacramento Kings but, sadly, fell short against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals. This offseason was the end of the Warriors’ strategy to balance championship contention with youth development, as their “two-face” plan has now been discontinued.

This challenging offseason gave rise to significant changes for the Warriors. Long-time executive Bob Myers left, and Mike Dunleavy Jr. became the new general manager. The Golden State Warriors did, however, lose key contributors like Jordan Poole and Donte DiVincenzo. They also face uncertainty regarding Andre Iguodala’s retirement. To address these losses and keep their veteran leadership intact, the team acquired Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star point guard. This move will definitely remove the offensive burden off of Stephen Curry, who had to carry the team’s scoring and playmaking in the previous season. With Paul’s exceptional passing skills, the Warriors now have a more diverse and capable backcourt, that will help them in winning yet another championship.

Taking a look at the players, Klay Thompson’s efficiency has been impacted quite a lot by multiple season-ending injuries, and he no longer excels as a defender as he did in his prime. Draymond Green remains an elite defender and offensive playmaker, but any expectations of him becoming a reliable scoring threat have faded as he approaches the age of 33.

The upcoming season is quite a critical one for the Warriors, possibly being their final opportunity to try for championships with their established core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Should circumstances take a turn for the worse, it could mark the end of the renowned Golden State dynasty that the basketball world loves to witness. The fate of this franchise depends on the result of the 2023 season, and the stakes are higher than ever.