Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Disappointing youngster will drop out of Golden State Warriors’ rotation

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Collin Sexton #2 of the Utah Jazz handling the ball gets triple teamed by Jonathan Kuminga #00, Moses Moody #4 and James Wiseman during the third quarter at Chase Center on December 28, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Collin Sexton #2 of the Utah Jazz handling the ball gets triple teamed by Jonathan Kuminga #00, Moses Moody #4 and James Wiseman during the third quarter at Chase Center on December 28, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Less than eight months ago a rookie Moses Moody was playing meaningful minutes for the eventual champion Golden State Warriors during the Western Conference Finals.

Fast-forward to Saturday night and the 20-year-old was shelved by head coach Steve Kerr during the second-half against the Orlando Magic, that despite the Warriors missing a number of key players.

Disappointing recent form has left second-year wing Moses Moody well and truly down the pecking order in the Golden State Warriors’ rotation.

After three double-digit scoring performances on the Warriors’ disastrous six-game road-trip, and with opportunities arising from the team’s ongoing injury issues, there was optimism that Moody could prove himself across the current eight-game homestand.

Yet despite injuries to a number of players, including fellow recent lottery picks James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga, Moody has actually averaged less minutes over the last seven games than he had in the first 33 games.

Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody battles for the ball against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody battles for the ball against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The late-minute withdrawal of Klay Thompson against the Magic gave Moody a reprieve and first-half minutes despite the re-introduction of Andrew Wiggins and Andre Iguodala. But the second-half may have proved a defining moment in Moody’s place in the rotation for the short-to-medium term future.

Moody wasn’t seen on the floor till garbage time in the last few minutes, with Kerr preferring other bench contributors in Anthony Lamb, Ty Jerome, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Iguodala. You could argue that quartet all play different roles, but if Kerr wanted Moody out there, I’m sure he could have found a way.

It’s an ominous sign for Moody with the Warriors likely to move closer to full health in the next fortnight. This homestand was his chance to stamp an impact and give Kerr no choice but to make him a regular regardless of player availability. Put simply, he hasn’t been able to do that.

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This isn’t to say Moody’s played badly — he’s shooting a steady 36.4% from three this season. But given the promise he showed in limited minutes last season, fans, the front office, and the coaching staff could have foreseeably expected more. Moody can still develop into a quality NBA player, but it’s unlikely he becomes a valuable playoff rotation piece this season.

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