The Golden State Warriors may not have made the splash many expected this offseason, but P.J. Carlesimo isn’t ready to write them off.
The former Warriors head coach, who led the team for parts of three seasons from 1997 to 2000 and went 46-113, said Golden State is in a solid spot as long as the roster stays on the floor. His view is simple: health changes everything.
“If they are healthy, they’re good right now, and they are always a player away. By the middle of the year Mike (Dunleavy Jr.) will figure something out. If they have the wherewithal to do something, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Golden State does something (major) and they’re in the mix," said Carlesimo.
He was just as direct when talking about the core pieces already in place.
"Steph hasn’t lost anything. I don’t want to say Draymond’s lost anything, but OK, you’ve got a couple guys that are veterans.
Jimmy, when he’s healthy, is still one of the best players in the league. Steph is one of the best players ever.
I don’t think they are as far away (as people think)."
Golden State finished 10th in the Western Conference last season and was knocked out by the Phoenix Suns in the final game of the NBA Play-In Tournament. Even so, Carlesimo believes that picture could look different if the Warriors get a healthier year from Curry and Kristaps Porzingis, especially with Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody back in the mix.
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Lajae Jones is already getting his pro career underway overseas, and the Warriors' decision to leave the 54th overall pick out of training camp says plenty about where he fits in their immediate plans. After four years of college basketball, Jones signed with Italian club Pallacanestro Trieste and wasted little time getting on the floor, giving him a head start on the next stage of his career while Golden State keeps its focus elsewhere.
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Horfords appeal has always been as much about steadiness and fit as raw production, and that matters even more for a Warriors group trying to balance experience, health, and lineup flexibility. The injury history is part of the conversation, of course, but the early read around the building is that he has arrived in strong shape, which is exactly the kind of update Golden State needed before leaning into what could be a very important season for him and for them. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Camp Battle Next To Draymond Just Got More Intriguing
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There is a real opening there, and not just in the frontcourt. Golden State also has a starting job to sort out at shooting guard, where Brandin Podziemski and De'Anthony Melton are in the mix. For now, the camp spotlight is on how the Warriors balance those battles while trying to find the right fit around Green before the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]