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Projected Golden State Warriors depth chart and rotation entering the regular season

By Josh Cornelissen

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Chris Paul #3 high-fives Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during their game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on October 07, 2023 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Chris Paul #3 high-fives Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during their game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on October 07, 2023 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, Usman Garuba of the Houston Rockets and Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors battle for the ball during the second quarter of the game at Toyota Center on November 20, 2022. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, Usman Garuba of the Houston Rockets and Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors battle for the ball during the second quarter of the game at Toyota Center on November 20, 2022. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) /

Warriors starting small forward: Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson has always been considered a shooting guard in one of the best backcourts in NBA history, but at this point in his career, he’s not much of a guard. After two major leg injuries, he is not the quick defender that he used to be, and the Warriors will have him guard almost exclusively forwards — sometimes even bigs. In the starting lineup that the Dubs are likely to use on Opening Night, Klay is the power forward, and in our projected full-strength group, he’s the 3.

Golden State has to hope that Thompson finds a way to settle into his niche as a role player on this team. His shooting is vitally important, but if they’re going to win another title they can’t have Klay trying to shoot himself back into a game. If Thompson can make that transition he’ll be a key player in bringing this team more postseason success; if he doesn’t, either the Warriors lose early or he finds himself on the outside of the closing lineup.

Warriors backup small forward: Moses Moody

In what is becoming an annual tradition in San Francisco, Moses Moody looks like a candidate to see his minutes squeezed to start the season. Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga are likely all ahead of him in the pecking order; once Draymond Green returns and takes back up his minutes at power forward, the rotation gets even more crowded.

Moody will need to lean into everything that Kerr and the coaching staff are asking of him, because he does seem like the kind of two-way wing they want in the rotation when the playoffs roll around. He is a knockdown shooter and a smart player, but he needs to limit his fouling and eliminate any reason to yank him from the rotation.

Other options: Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins

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