Projecting the Golden State Warriors’ current and future timeline (Part 1)

The following was first written in August 2020. This is an estimation of the Golden State Warriors’ current and future timeline, backed by 60 years of experience attending games and following the franchise through up-and-downs.

It has been edited to reflect what has happened so far, with part two of this series to showcase the ‘crystal-ball’ mindset of which this article was first intended.

The Beginning: The Golden State Warriors, under Joe Lacob and Bob Myers, set in place an audacious two-timeline approach to winning.

General Manager Bob Myers orchestrated his vision for the Warriors future, retaining the number two overall pick and drafting James Wiseman, before doing the same the following season with lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.

In his post-draft comments, owner Joe Lacob confirmed his approval for Myers’ chosen path. Lacob’s prophecy for the future contains no vision of a blockbuster trade as ‘practical or likely.’ The most revealing of all the owner’s comments:

"“If we can’t (meaning win another championship), “you should look at Joe Lacob and Bob Myers and Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins and say you weren’t good enough.”"

The schedule to complete Myers’ vision would remain flexible, but make no mistake, Golden State were again hunting championships. Most believed that the introduction of drafted talent would not meet the expectations for another run at a title.

The following was written prior to last season. 

"Kuminga may need time to develop, meaning time in Santa Cruz. He needed to flash this summer and have a productive training camp for the possibility to play effective minutes in Steve Kerr’s rotation. Myers signed Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II and Nemanja Bjelica to add much-needed veteran depth to the bench.Kent Bazemore decided his future lies in Los Angeles with LeBron James, and DubNation wished him well. Bazemore’s departure eliminated the wrong choice as a solution for Klay Thompson’s absence. Kelly Oubre signed with the Charlotte Hornets, leaving due to his anticipated reduced role.Moses Moody will be developed like Kuminga, and with the emergence of Jordan Poole as a future All-Star, Myers has plenty of balls to juggle now and into the future. Kerr’s rotations need to be productive and fluid from the beginning of the season, with the Warriors looking to add one more Larry O’Brien Trophy before the experienced core retires. Should Kuminga and Moody provide the depth to this roster to endure the regular season and contribute to a playoff rotation, it’s time to get excited!"

The drafted talent and veterans’ minimums would prove the foundation of the team’s attempt to complete Myers’ dream project. This was nothing new; Myers always intended to bridge the gap with drafted players, veterans, and the Warriors’ championship core. Brandon Schneider would remain flexible with a focus on controlling the finances. The control of this project remained with the owner/developer Joe Lacob under the architectural supervision of  Myers.

Rick Welts had now retired from the front office as President of the Golden State Warriors. Welts was primarily responsible for relocating the franchise to the city of origin, San Francisco, and the construction/development of  #1 Warriors Way, San Francisco, California, which is now known as Chase Center. With the opening of the new arena, Welts stepped down and retires, leaving on his terms with the Warriors’ new palace completed.

Brandon Schneider was promoted from within to direct the organization as President/COO, assuming Welts’ role. Schneider had been with the Warriors organization for 19 years, serving as an Executive Director or Executive Vice President of ticket sales before being promoted to direct the Warriors organization.

Schneider had been honored many times for his leadership role, and he played a large role in the development and construction of Chase Center. Rick Welts departs after shuffling the front office and signaling the beginning of the hypothetical “Game of Thrones.”

Part Two coming tomorrow.