There’s been several instances where Stephen Curry has had to face some tough decisions. In particular about the design of the Warriors’ current roster. The former dynasty currently sits outside the play-in picture after their 40-point loss to the Boston Celtics. And Curry didn’t spare his thoughts after the game. “A big part of our season has been when we can’t score, we lose spirit, we lose life, we lose competitiveness,” he said about the team.
In the past, such spells have seen Curry sit slumped on the bench, seemingly “exasperated”. As the keystone is used to winning, such feelings are bound to arise. However, on the Warriors Plus Minus podcast, the crew felt he looked to be in a “good mood” when the Celtics punished them.
“Well, they had Investor’s Day, so he had to kind of deal with investors,” Tim Kawakami pointed out about the possible reason. While divulging into his mindset Anthony Slater commented “Yeah, maybe that, you know, like he got into a mode where I’m not going to be surly, but not that he’s ever surly, but he’s made more point blank. But they got some things they’re going to face. They’ve been facing them for weeks now,”.
It could have been a way to engage investors despite the saddening loss. Slater also thought that the timing of the game being earlier than usual could have helped Curry’s mood. However, the core truth remains. The Warriors ace is unsatisfied with the way the Warriors are playing having won just three of their last eight games.
The lack of consistency has been an issue since their blistering run to begin the season. In addition, with injuries to both Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga, a challenging test awaits the Warriors. And the crew feels it could amount to severe consequences that concern their future.
How a poor run could change the Warriors’ direction for the future
When competing for titles and doing so with ravishing success, the Warriors front office was unhinged. They didn’t mind paying the stars to keep the group together. Notably. they spent most of the years of their dynasty paying punitive luxury taxes to the NBA. However, the scenario has far changed since then.
In the past five years, the Warriors have missed the postseason thrice. Albeit, it did include a magnificent championship in 2022. Still, the franchise hasn’t been nearly as successful even with most of their core together. With their current standings, their playoff hopes are dwindling.
The chances of them not making the postseason for a second season in a row do exist. And according to Anthony Slater, if that does happen, Joe Lacob and Co may not be prepared to invest in the current group.
“The other thing though is their lack of playoff success or even getting in over the last few years, I think has lessened Joe Lakob and the ownership group, and I emphasize group here. There’s a lot of financial decision-makers that are everywhere within this franchise. I think of that as lessening their desire to full-throttle, you know, bigger salaries,” he said about the Warriors.
The franchise has some major decisions to make in the coming offseason. Jonathan Kuminga who has become a staggering contributor is due for a large extension. In addition, Looney, Schroder, and Lindy Waters III are also due for an extension. The shape and look of the Warriors’ future roster depends largely on what their record looks like at the end of the season.
They have a chance to free up salaries and make a huge move. They could also do so right now but as Stephen Curry has mentioned in the past, they are waiting for the right opportunity to make another shift in their ranks. Or another alternative could be them taking lesser salaries to accommodate another piece in the roster. But in the case of Kuminga, his threshold is still unknown.
If you were the Warriors front office, what would your thoughts be about the immediate future? Let us know your views in the comments below.
