The Golden State Warriors’ fortunes and future have fluctuated dramatically since their latest reign as NBA Champions ended.
After Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson fell victim to the finals, and perhaps the two most devastating injuries in the sport, there were serious questions over whether the Warriors would make the playoffs next season.
When Durant announced his move to the Brooklyn Nets at the very start of free agency, and Andre Iguodala was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies shortly after on a manic night across the league, it appeared that the Golden State dynasty was on the verge of collapse.
But such pessimistic beliefs proved to be premature. Within hours of Durant’s departure, all-star D’Angelo Russell was a Warrior, providing a solid consolation prize for losing a two-time Finals MVP.
Following the capturing of the likes of Willie Cauley-Stein, Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks, players capable of performing a role off the bench, stability and sanity were restored in The Bay.
The blow of Durant’s exit was then further softened by Thompson’s decision to re-sign with Golden State for five years, and reports that he could return to action as early as December.
And last weekend brought more good news for the Warriors, as Draymond Green penned a contract extension that will keep him under team control until the summer of 2022 at least, with a player option for an additional year.
While Golden State possibly could have benefitted in the short-term from Green waiting until next offseason to sign his new deal, his commitment now ensures that, barring an unforeseen catastrophe (something which is never out of the question in the NBA, as this summer has proved), the Warriors will be contenders for years to come.
Stephen Curry, Thompson, Green and Russell are all under contract until 2022, meaning the Warriors have the players, or assets, to remain close to the summit.
This begs the question, what historical milestones are in sight for Steve Kerr‘s men? The Warriors have already enjoyed an almost unprecedented five years of success, but if they can continue to win a high number of games and challenge for titles, they could ascend into rarefied air, parts of which only they would occupy.
Here are some win-total and postseason landmarks Golden State could reach over the next three seasons.