Warriors Rumors: Dubs would participate in second bubble

The Golden State Warriors, one of the “Delete Eight” that won’t be part of the Orlando restart, would participate in a second bubble if approved by the NBA.

This season wasn’t a typical one for the Golden State Warriors. Fans and players were normally gearing up for a deep playoff run. Instead, the Warriors were one of the 22 teams not invited to the Orlando restart, one that will be composed of the league’s top 22 teams.

The Warriors were 15-50 when the season was suspended in March due to the novel coronavirus. At the time of the suspension, the Warriors were the only team officially out of playoff contention. Teams like Atlanta and Cleveland are now forcibly missing the postseason as well.

Many of the teams that weren’t included are vouching for a restart of their own. The details have since surfaced, and the event would take place in Chicago. Obviously, the league can’t force players to do as we’ve already seen multiple stars like Deandre Jordan opt-out.

As a team, the Warriors could decide they don’t want to participate, but if everything is laid out smoothly and the possibility is there, general manager Bob Myers is “in support” of the idea.

"“Until we really know, it’s hard to say. If we can get the majority of our players to go. And if it’s beneficial, then we’ll do that. If we can’t, we’ll take what we can get. This whole thing is about balancing health and safety. From a team standpoint, what solutions check as many boxes as it can?“One of the things is, you try not to judge. Everybody is right in a certain sense. Whether we pursue the opportunity to get our young players some work in some safe environment locally or in a second bubble, we’re in support of the pursuit. Now whether we get there or not is really a health and safety thing,” general manager Bob Myers said of a possible second bubble via ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan wrote."

MacMullan also mentions that Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson would be unlikely to return anyway. Given that they’ve played in five straight NBA Finals, the duo along with Draymond Green will likely rest and not participate.

For now, it’s all speculation. We don’t know who would participate as others like Kevon Looney struggled with injury throughout the season. It’s also assumed young guns like Jordan Poole and Eric Paschall have the most to gain from the league putting this on.

It would be entertaining to see the Warriors back in action this season, but I think everyone is in agreement that health and safety are the first priority. If they can achieve those, expect to see Golden State in Chicago.