The Golden State Warriors have the worst record in the NBA at 12-44, and the organization that has played in each of the last five NBA Finals is in prime position to end the season with the best chance to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Warriors aren’t giving up entirely on the 2019-20 campaign, though. While Klay Thompson has been ruled out for the rest of the season, Stephen Curry is almost ready to return to the court as he continues to recover from a broken left hand he suffered in November.
Earlier this week, Stephen A. Smith passionately ranted on ESPN that Curry has no business returning so late in what is a lost season for the Warriors, and that he’d only be exposing himself to another injury that could compromise his 2020-21 season.
For coach Steve Kerr, however, getting Curry back into action is critical to the Warriors’ preparation for next season. Kerr told reporters on Saturday that Curry needs time to learn how to play with his new teammates – including Andrew Wiggins, who the Warriors just acquired before the trade deadline.
Via ESPN:
“He got an ovation today when I told the group he was going to scrimmage with us. Everybody was excited. It will be good for our young guys to feel what it’s like to play with him and vice versa. Steph needs to get to know these guys, too … it’s a big part of the final third of the season is everybody playing together, acclimating together, with the trade for Andrew [Wiggins], the young guys, Steph coming back, these games matter.”
If Curry does return on March 1st, he could play in the Warriors’ final 22 games of the year – and if he’s too successful, it’s possible the Warriors could elevate themselves out of the bottom three in the race for the worst record. A total of five NBA teams have 17 wins or fewer.
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