Moses Moody’s Breakout Comes at the Perfect Time for the Warriors
Moses Moody has always brought the intangibles - grit, hustle, and a team-first mindset - since arriving in Golden State. But now, in his fifth season, the 23-year-old is doing more than just the little things. He’s delivering real production at a crucial moment for the Warriors, and it couldn’t be better timed with the trade deadline looming.
Let’s rewind. Moody’s career kicked off with a bang - an NBA championship in 2022.
But during that title run, he played a limited role, logging just over eight minutes per game in the postseason. Since then, he’s been a steady presence off the bench, offering size on the wing and reliable shooting, but hadn’t quite carved out a consistent role in the rotation.
That changed during the 2024-25 season. Moody saw his role expand, starting 34 games alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, and Draymond Green.
He averaged 11 points and just over three rebounds per game, shooting 44.9% from the field and 39.4% from deep - solid numbers for a complementary starter. He even had a standout 25-point performance in the first round of the playoffs against Houston.
But shooting inconsistencies crept in, and by the second round against Minnesota, his role had diminished significantly.
Still, the Warriors saw enough to believe in his potential. They locked him into a three-year, roughly $39 million rookie extension, keeping him under team control through the 2027-28 season.
Fast forward to this season, and it’s been a rollercoaster. A minor calf strain sidelined Moody for the first two games of 2025-26, but once he returned, he showed flashes of what he could be - scoring 20, 24, and 28 points in individual games. But those highs were mixed with some quiet nights, including a scoreless outing and games with just three, seven, and nine points.
Steve Kerr was searching for answers. The team was struggling to find its rhythm, and Moody wasn’t the only one trying to find his footing.
In a lineup shakeup, Kerr pulled Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski and inserted Moody alongside rookie Will Richard. From Nov. 12 to Jan.
11, Moody started consistently, but his production remained uneven - 9.7 points per game on 39.7% shooting overall and 33.6% from three. He had a 32-point explosion against the Pelicans, but couldn't string together consistent performances.
Then came Jan. 13 against Portland - and something clicked.
Since that night, Moody has been a different player. Over the last several weeks, he’s averaged over 15 points in just 25 minutes per game, and the efficiency has been eye-popping: 54.4% from the field and a blistering 53.2% from three.
It’s not just the volume - it’s the confidence, the rhythm, and the poise he’s playing with. Against the Knicks, he dropped 21 points, going 7-of-9 from deep.
That’s elite-level shooting.
And when Jimmy Butler went down with a season-ending injury on Jan. 19 against Miami, Moody didn’t just step up - he leaned in. On Wednesday night, he put together one of the best performances of his career: 26 points on just nine three-point attempts (he hit five of them), plus five rebounds and two steals in a 140-124 win over the Jazz.
Since his breakout on Jan. 13, Moody has hit 33 threes - the third-most in the NBA during that stretch, trailing only Sam Hauser (34) and Luka Dončić (36).
What makes that even more impressive? He’s doing it with fewer attempts.
Moody is averaging 6.9 three-point attempts per game in that span - tied for the fewest among the top 16 players in made threes, right alongside Kevin Durant.
That kind of efficiency on that kind of volume? That’s not just a hot streak - that’s a player growing into his role.
And that growth changes the equation for Golden State.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, Moody’s emergence gives the Warriors options. If they pursue a blockbuster deal - one that could potentially bring in a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo - Moody’s rising value could be a key piece in getting it done. He’s young, under contract, and proving he can produce in meaningful minutes.
But if the Warriors decide to stand pat, Moody’s development becomes even more important. He’s positioning himself as a foundational piece of the next era in Golden State - one that may not feature Stephen Curry for much longer. Alongside young talents like Podziemski, Quinten Post, Will Richard, Gui Santos, and potentially Kuminga, Moody could be part of the bridge to the Warriors’ future.
Whether he stays or goes, one thing is clear: Moses Moody is arriving - and the timing couldn’t be better.