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The Golden State Warriors are a top-three team in the West at full strength

By Nathan Beighle

BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors on the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on January 30, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA. - JANUARY 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors on the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on January 30, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) /
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It’s a sad reality that the Golden State Warriors are the worst team in the Western Conference because, at full strength, they’re among the top three.

The Golden State Warriors are the last team in the NBA to top 15 wins.

Did you ever imagine we’d be saying that just one year following the team’s fifth consecutive Finals appearance? Of course not, and their struggle has been solely due to injuries.

While the departure of Kevin Durant certainly wouldn’t have helped, the combination of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson would’ve kept this team at the top of the West.

Combine Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green, and it’s easy to see why this team could have thrived among other West contenders. Even the development of Eric Paschall would’ve been huge for this team had they been healthy.

However, that’s just how this season has transpired.

But, one silver lining is that the team has officially retained its 2020 first-round pick which will inevitably be in the lottery and should be among the three that have the highest odds for the top overall pick.

If all that had not happened and Russell was still traded, the Warriors would be a top-three team. The current roster composition is similar to the record-breaking one that was put together for the 2015-2016 season.

Curry would again be the main offensive force with Thompson’s role increasing in importance. Then Wiggins would play that Harrison Barnes-like role and Green could then do what he does best: distribute.

The top three teams in the West right now are the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers. With Paul George and Kawhi Leonard sitting games, the Clippers record has slipped to where they’re out of the top two.

That said, like the 2018-2019 Warriors were, the 2019-2020 team, at full strength, would still be better than Denver and, at the very least, would be significantly better when the postseason commences.

Next. Top 25 Golden State Warriors in franchise history. dark

Fans will get to see this superstar-filled team back in full effect next season.

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