A lot can happen in the space of 12 months. Who would have thought this time last year that by June, the Golden State Warriors would have moved on from Jordan Poole in a blockbuster trade for Chris Paul. Or that first-round pick Patrick Baldwin Jr. would also be involved in that deal.
The NBA can be fickle like that, though the drastic changes are often what makes the sport so entertaining. Heading into next season the Warriors appear like they have a settled roster, but then again you may have said the same a year ago on the back on an NBA championship.
The Golden State Warriors may entertain anything and everything in the pursuit of another NBA title, but some players are more secure than others over the next 12 months.
As we sit here on Monday 28th August 2023, let’s have a look at each player on the Golden State roster and try to evaluate the percentage chances they’re still with the franchise at the corresponding moment next year.
Stephen Curry – 100%
Entering year 15 and now solidified as the franchise’s greatest ever player, Curry and the Warriors are married for life unless something inconceivable were to occur. The 35-year-old, two-time MVP still has three years left on his contract.
Kevon Looney – 98%
Given Golden State’s lack of depth at center behind Looney, you could make the argument he’s in the top three most important players at the franchise. He has a partially guaranteed contract for 2024-25, but that shouldn’t be an issue.
Draymond Green 95%
The Warriors have just penned Green to a new four-year, $100 million deal that solidifies his future with the team. Of course, there’s always the slim possibility the 33-year-old does something foolish that tips the franchise over the edge and into trading him.
Andrew Wiggins – 95%
An integral piece to what the Warriors do, Wiggins is set to begin a new four-year, $109 million this season. Hard to see the Canadian getting moved unless the franchise gets desperate and wants to go ‘all in’ on a major upgrade.
Gary Payton II – 90%
Re-acquired by Golden State at February’s trade deadline, it’s difficult to see him moving again so shortly afterwards. Could be salary filler in any potential move, though it’s highly unlikely.
Klay Thompson 90%
It’s hard to envisage Thompson ever leaving the Warriors, yet as a potential unrestricted free agent next offseason, the chances of him remaining at the franchise is a little lower than others with longer term security.
Trayce Jackson-Davis 85%
Jackson-Davis is on a four-year, $7.6 million rookie deal with Golden State. If he shows anything remotely positive, which he already has briefly in Summer League, then the value of the contract is going to be too good for the Warriors to move on from the 23-year-old.
Brandin Podziemski – 75%
While the franchise doesn’t have an overly great record with their recent first-round picks, Podziemski seems like more of a Warrior-style player and should be given an opportunity to develop over time. Still, he could add value in a trade if Golden State does make a move.
Moses Moody 75%
Despite falling in league-wide value since being taken in the lottery two years ago, Moody projects as a helpful rotation player for the Warriors next season. The combination of the two makes it unlikely he’s moved on, with the franchise expected to pick up his fourth-year team option for 2024-25.
Jonathan Kuminga – 50%
It’s a make-or-break season for Kuminga and this percentage reflects that. There’s a chance he becomes the dynamic two-way forward the Warriors want and need, but they could also run out of patience and move him to a rebuilding team by February’s trade deadline.
Lester Quinones (two-way) 50%
Living on the edge of an NBA career, it’s almost always make-or-break for two-way contracted players. Although Quinones has shown impressive signs, there’s a long way to go before he becomes a bonafide player in the league.
Corey Joseph 50%
Joseph will get opportunities as Golden State manages the workload on Stephen Curry and Chris Paul. Whether he can have enough impact to remain with the Warriors beyond next season is another question entirely.
Chris Paul 40%
The franchise is looking to get under the second tax apron next offseason, and to do it they’ll likely move on from Paul and his $30 million player option. He could convince the Warriors to do different with strong form in 2022-23, but at 38-years-old that’s a big task ahead.
Dario Saric 40%
In a big coup for the Warriors, Saric signed a veteran’s minimum deal in free agency despite having come off a three-year, $27 million contract in the seasons prior. The 29-year-old will want to re-establish his value with Golden State in a way Otto Porter Jr. and Donte DiVincenzo did the last two years — we know how that panned out.