Golden State Warriors Offseason Moves 2019: Odds and Predictions

Season Record: 57-25, 1st in the West

Most Frequent Starting Five (6 Games): (G) Stephen Curry – (G) Klay Thompson – (F) Andre Iguodala – (F) Kevin Durant – (F) Draymond Green

Top Performers:

• G Stephen Curry – 27.3 PPG | 5.2 APG | 5.3 RPG | .437 3P%
• F Kevin Durant – 26.0 PPG | 5.9 APG | 6.4 RPG | .521 FG%
• G Klay Thompson – 21.5 PPG | 3.8 RPG | 1.1 SPG | .402 3P%

Transactions

July 6, 2018 – Signed C DeMarcus Cousins.

July 7, 2018 – Signed F Kevin Durant.

July 10, 2018 – Signed C Kevon Looney.

September 5, 2018 – Signed F Alfonzo McKinnie to a two-way contract. Converted to a regular contract on October 12, 2018.

March 6, 2019 – Signed C Andrew Bogut for the remainder of the season.

The Good

Kevin Durant led the way for the Warriors. With a total of 81 man-games missed between Stephen Curry, DeMarcus Cousins, and Draymond Green, the pressure was on Durant to step up as the leader of the Warriors in his stead. Scoring 30+ points twenty times during the season, Durant carried the Warriors to their final position.

Klay Thompson showed himself to be an unheralded star. With five all-star appearances, it is difficult to say he went unnoticed, but with Durant out late in the playoffs, it was Thompson who seemed to be the X-Factor for the Warriors.

Alfonzo McKinnie seemed to be an afterthought for the Warriors. Going from a regular contract player with the Toronto Raptors to a two-way with the Warriors. His contributions were apparent quickly with The Dubs, as his energy, rebounding, and three-point shooting ability had him converted back to a regular contract with the Warriors before the New Year.

Sharpshooting Duke guard Quinn Cook played more matches this past season than his previous two seasons combined. Cook, in 14.3 minutes per game, was a reliable shooter (40.7% from three) and capable playmaker in lieu of an injured Stephen Curry.

The Bad

89 man-games lost between the Warriors five most valuable players. Health was an issue all season, but finishing number one in the West suggests that it wouldn’t be such an issue. However nagging injuries from the regular season bared their fangs in the post-season, resulting in their eventual six-game loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Damion Jones was rolled out as the starting center for 22 of his 24 games in the 2018-2019 NBA season. Despite admirable step forward, a torn pectoral derailed his season. After a poor Summer League showing, Jones has ended up with the Atlanta Hawks.

It wasn’t long ago that Jordan Bell was expected to be the next Draymond Green. A versatile defensive forward, Bell seemed to be able to cover positions one through five. Unfortunately, he never found his stride and came into conflict with the coaching staff. Bell now plies his trade with the Timberwolves.

The Surprises

While finances were a reason that the Warriors couldn’t hold on to DeMarcus Cousins, a more significant factor was the performance of Kevon Looney. The energetic center had the highest defensive box plus/minus of any player on the team to play more than 60 games – other than Draymond Green.

Andre Iguodala’s raw numbers regress year-by-year but his on-court value is consistent. Once a slashing scorer, Iguodala has taken the reigns as a secondary playmaker and defensive ace. While he has left the Warriors, their 2019 season would’ve been much shorter without him.

Shaun Livingston has been a steady contributor for the Golden State Warriors in his time with the team. Despite coming back from a devastating injury, it seems time has caught up with him. Not nearly the offensive or defensive threat that he once was, Livingston was waived by the Warriors after the season.

2019 NBA Warriors Draft Acquisitions

All eyes were on the Golden State Warriors during the NBA Draft. With stars Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins set to leave, they looked to build on their future.

Super-team criticisms aside, the Warriors deserve credit as they scouted and drafted their own big three of Curry, Thompson, and Green. They hope for the same with their 2019 picks.

Miye Oni – Yale – USA – Golden State Warriors, 2nd Round (28th Pick, 58th Overall)

You won’t see Oni dress for the Golden State Warriors. A day after being drafted, Oni was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for $2MM cash.

Eric Paschall – Villanova – USA – Golden State Warriors, 2nd Round (11th Pick, 41st Overall)

Paschall looks to fill the role of the Warriors’ prototypical power forward. Ground-bound, but strong as they get with a capable offensive skillset. Paschall moves his feet well on the defensive end and will, of course, have an excellent mentor in Draymond Green. He’s more advanced that Jordan Bell already, so Paschall will likely be given an early chance.

Jordan Poole – Michigan – USA – Golden State Warriors, 1st Round (28th Pick, 28th Overall)

Poole looks to be an exciting prospect for the Warriors. A tall combo-guard who can flat out shoot it with the best of them, Poole seems perfectly fit for the Warriors system. Like most rookies, his body needs to fill out. But if he can fill it up from three, Kerr will be hard-pressed to not play him.

Expectations

With Thompson likely out for the season, there is room for at least one rookie to step up. There is a hole at the Small Forward position, which either rookie could fill.

Poole is the sharpshooter that fits into the Warriors offensive plans. He is deadeye from anywhere on the court but will struggle with his lack of strength. He will surely share time with their G-League affiliate Santa Cruz Warriors.

Eric Paschall seems to be the more fit player to step into a role right away. While his height hurts him, he is the 3-and-D threat that they are looking for. Consistency will be key for Paschall going forward, but he seems tailor-made for the opening at the three.

2019 NBA Warriors Offseason Acquisitions

The Warriors aren’t experiencing anything as serious as a rebuild. They are however retooling in a significant way, after losing two stars in Durant and Cousins.

(G) D’Angelo Russell – 4 Years/$117 million

D’Angelo Russell clutchest three on every team ??

Reminder : he’s 23 pic.twitter.com/A55f3qvF0S

— Antonin ?? (@antonin_org) August 5, 2019

The acquisition of D’Angelo Russel was a surprise, to say the least for Warriors fans. After succumbing to the truth of Durant not returning to the Bay Area, Dubs supporters were delighted to hear they would acquire a first-time All-Star and premiere backcourt piece in return.

With Thompson out for the majority of next season, we will get to see Russell do what he does best, shoot the ball. While his efficiency isn’t to die for, his ability to knock down shots and slither into the paint make him a perfect complement to Stephen Curry. His defensive ability does not match.

(G) Damion Lee / (G) Ky Bowman – Two-Way Contracts

(G) Damion Lee

(G) Ky Bowman

For their two-way slots, the Warriors have signed to capable combo guards. Two players who project as tweeters more than defined players, The Warriors will hope they can refine their game with the Santa Cruz Warriors and contribute for the senior team in spots.

(F) Glenn Robinson III – 1 Year/$1.8 million

Glenn Robinson III slams home the reverse! #NBAPlayoffs #DetroitBasketball 74#FearTheDeer 85

?: @NBATV pic.twitter.com/fIBgkHnOEq

— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2019

Athletic freak is the best way to describe Glenn Robinson III. He can jump out of the gym and will be the beneficiary of a number of excellent dishes from the Warriors’ plethora of playmakers. He’s passable defensively, though he opts to use his physical gifts more often than his mental. His shooting is not up to standard, so he will need to improve or show himself a capable playmaker to compensate.

(F) Alen Smailagic – 4 Years/$6 million

Warriors rookie Alen Smailagic brought the thunder ? pic.twitter.com/0YcRLHaxpf

— ESPN (@espn) July 2, 2019

Smailagic has stretch-four potential but lacks the savvy or strength to play the role yet. Still, the Warriors must see something great in him to give him such a chance. In order to make an impact, he will need to defend and keep pace on the court. However, his offensive game is already at the correct level.

(F) Omari Spellman – 2 Years/$3.5 million

Omari Spellman has been traded to the Warriors for Damian Jones. pic.twitter.com/8kXtiH6hSP

— openstrive (@openstrive) July 8, 2019

A pick-and-pop threat as well as capable rim protector, Spellman seems to be just the type to fill the role of the lost DeMarcus Cousins. He won’t contribute heavily, but if he is efficient in spot minutes the Warriors will regain their investment.

(C) Willie Cauley-Stein – 2 Years/$4.4 million

Larry the Splash Uncle says get your reps in today: 500 3’s. #RuinTheGame pic.twitter.com/MSOMD44lcw

— Willie Trill Cauley-Stein (@THEwillieCS15) August 7, 2019

Cauley-Stein projects to be the starting centre for the Warriors. A defensive and rebounding machine, Cauley-Stein is the energy piece the Warriors needed. His playmaking will have to improve as his shooting is suspect. Despite that, he will have plenty of space to operate in the paint off of screens.

(G) Alec Burks – 1 Year/$2.3 million

The bench went crazy for this Alec Burks finish ? pic.twitter.com/DQwyfIHZWb

— SLAM Rewind (@SLAMRewind) July 21, 2019

Alec Burks had an eventful previous season. After spending 64 games between three different clubs – Utah, Cleveland, Sacramento – Burks expects to find new life with the Golden State Warriors. Burks is a capable isolation scorer but will need to up his efficiency if he hopes to play in the flowing offense of the Golden State Warriors.

Expected Depth Chart

2019-2020 Season Expectations for the Golden State Warriors – Odds

The Golden State Warriors project to be one of the NBA’s strongest teams once again in the 2019-2020 season. With two-time MVP Stephen Curry at the helm, the Warriors are expected to be a lock for the NBA Playoffs at the least.

The injury to Thompson is a blow for the Warriors. But new blood D’Angelo Russell and a newly extended Draymond Green look to be able to fill the void admirably. Concerns only arise once you consider their surprisingly average bench.

Opening at a +1400 going into the 2019-2020 season, the Warriors are seventh in terms of favor to win the NBA Championship. The newly competitive Pacific division keeps them in place, awarding them +550 to win the Pacific behind the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers.

If you are in New Jersey you can bet on the Warriors odds for their 2019-2020 season by visiting 888Sport and BetStars NJ. Check out the latest odds below. Good luck!

Golden State Warriors Odds to Win the 2019/2020 NBA Championship

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Golden State Warriors Odds to Win the 2019/2020 Pacific Division

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