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Golden State Warriors rise in latest ESPN NBA Power Rankings

By Peter O'Keefe

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MARCH 09: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 09, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MARCH 09: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 09, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors’ credentials for the 2023-24 championship has seemingly increased over the last six weeks, at least according to ESPN’s latest NBA Power Rankings released on Wednesday.

The franchise has taken on a more apparent win-now approach this offseason, signified in the blockbuster trade sending 24-year-old Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards in exchange for 38-year-old point-guard Chris Paul.

Despite rising in the latest ESPN Power Rankings, the Golden State Warriors still project outside the top tier of championship contenders.

ESPN undertook their initial power rankings in the immediate aftermath of the Denver Nuggets’ historic 2023 championship. With major question marks hanging over the roster heading into the offseason, the Warriors were ranked 10th after their second-round playoff defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers.

But after the acquisition of Paul, and the critical re-signing of another future hall-of-famer, Draymond Green, to a new four-year, $100 million contract, Golden State have risen to eighth in the newest rankings.

Arguably the two best point-guards of this century, Stephen Curry and Chris Paul will play together at the Golden State Warriors next season. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Arguably the two best point-guards of this century, Stephen Curry and Chris Paul will play together at the Golden State Warriors next season. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

"“Chris Paul is officially a member of the Golden State Warriors. Yet, it’s still hard to imagine how exactly he will fit. He’s most likely going to be the sixth man — whether he wants to admit it or not — but how he will fare is still being discussed within the hallways of the Warriors’ headquarters”, Kendra Andrews wrote."

The Warriors’ offseason moves has pushed them past the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies in ESPN’s eyes. The latter faces an uncertain period as star guard Ja Morant prepares for a 25-game suspension to begin next season.

The Nuggets unsurprisingly sit on top after their title triumph, landing ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks who have brought back big-name free agents Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. The Boston Celtics are third having made their own seismic move, dealing Marcus Smart in a three-way deal for former Wizards’ big man Kristaps Porzingis.

dark. Next. Big contracts reiterate Golden State Warriors’ major value in underpaid big man

Golden State are fourth of Western Conference teams, sitting behind the Nuggets and pacific rivals in the Phoenix Suns (fourth overall) and Lakers (seventh). The Warriors are +1200 to win the championship according to Caesars Sportsbook.

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