Did Golden State Warriors get better or worse this summer?

It’s been an unusually eventful offseason for the defending champs. Did the Golden State Warriors get better or worse this summer?

The Golden State Warriors roster is different from the one that just won the championship. Is this for the better or worse?

The Dubs had to face the reality of multiple players who signed for cheap last year that exceeded expectations during the championship run.

With names like Gary Payton and Otto Porter rightfully earning higher salaries, the Warriors had no choice but to let them sign with other teams.

In their place, a new set of free agents is looking to have similar success. Will this pan out for the Dubs?

Making the case for worse

Losing Porter and Payton will leave a blemish on the Dubs moving forward.

As promising as Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green might be, the likelihood of them providing the same defensive and offensive contributions as their predecessors is low.

Porter was one of the Dubs’ lead 3-and-D wings while Payton brought high-quality defense and decision-making to the bench.

Along with Porter and Payton, the losses of Damion Lee, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Nemanja Bjelica will leave the Warriors lacking in the depth department. This leaves them vulnerable in the event of a few untimely injuries.

Making the case for better

Nonetheless, Green and DiVincenzo can supplement the losses, at least a little.

DiVincenzo averaged 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 while Green is a reasonable replacement for Porter, shooting 36% from the 3-point line for his career.

The Warriors can also rely on some internal development from Jordan Poole, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and hopefully, James Wiseman, whose return could be the ultimate x-factor in making this team better.

Also worth noting is Klay Thompson, who has now had 10 months of being fully cleared for basketball activities. Any rust that might have been holding him back should be gone now that he’s been healthy for an entire summer for the first time since 2018.

Conclusion

The roster itself has become weaker, with less depth and two key players missing.

Still, the championship core is intact and numerous young prospects can step up to fill the gaps.

Most of all, a rejuvenated Klay Thompson could be the difference maker in giving the Dubs their iconic one-two punch in the backcourt.