Tag: Golden State Warriors

Kendrick Perkins mades bold prediction for Steph Curry’s future

Kendrick Perkins believes we could see an All-Star team up in the near future.

Steph Curry helped Team USA secure a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Golden State Warriors superstar sharpshooter came alive in the final two games to give his team a much-needed boost to get them over the finish line. For NBA fans, seeing Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant on the same team was something straight out of a video game.

However, Kendrick Perkins believes that the trio’s tenure in Paris could lead to some superstar movement if things don’t go to plan with their respective teams. The former NBA champion turned analyst believes at least two of the stars could look to team up for one last run at an NBA championship in the near future.

“While guys were over there in Paris, guys were breaking bread together, guys were having conversations together,” Perkins said. “…This next NBA season is going to be interesting. Because, If things don’t go as planned with the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors or if things don’t go as planned with the Phoenix Suns…I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a reunion with Steph Curry and KD or LeBron James and Steph actually making it happen.”

Durant’s return to Golden State has been discussed among NBA fans for multiple years. The idea was floated shortly after the 2023-24 season came to a conclusion, too. The notion of a potential Curry and LeBron team-up has also been floated, although both ideas have regularly been dismissed.

The era of Curry, LeBron and Durant dominating the NBA is coming to a close. Multiple young talents are waiting to take the reigns and become the faces of the NBA for the next decade. However, all three veteran stars are still capable of competing at the highest level.

Perhaps they could be convinced to make some moves and accept a lower salary to add another championship ring to their legacy. Still, we’re unlikely to see any moves occur for at least another year if they happen at all.

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Relive all of Steph Curry’s incredible Team USA 3-pointers from the 2024 Paris Olympics

Steph Curry had an absolutely amazing Paris Olympics.

Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry brought his A-game to the 2024 Paris Olympics, helping lead Team USA to yet another set of gold medals.

His legendary 3-point shooting had no trouble translating from the NBA to the global state at this year’s Olympics, as he hit a number of absolutely thrilling buckets from beyond the arc during the Olympic tournament.

NBC Sports shared a great highlight reel of every single Curry 3-pointer that he made during the Paris Olympics, which is a great way to reflect on how well Curry played to help bring home the gold for Team USA.

We’re still not sure how Curry does it after all these years, but it never gets old.

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Did Klay Thompson want to be free of expectations?

Was Klay Thompson’s decision to leave the Golden State Warriors due to a desire to get a fresh start away from the Bay Area?

Klay Thompson’s decision to leave the Golden State Warriors at the start of free agency was a major talking point around the NBA. The four-time NBA champion had been expected to re-sign with the franchise and end his career as a one-team man. Nevertheless, he opted to sign with the Dallas Mavericks to form a new big three with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

According to Patrick Beverley, who was speaking during a guest appearance on a recent episode of “The OG’s Show,” Thompson’s decision was likely based on the desire to play with freedom.

“I didn’t see that coming,” Beverley said. “But again, he took less money. He just want freedom. ‘I want to be able to hoop.’ For him to have the ability as a bailout guy, as a third option.”

Beverley’s comments were likely focused on the fact that Thompson had a certain level of expectations from the Warriors fanbase. And while he’s no longer the All-Star-caliber player he once was, who could knock down shots and play lock-down defense across multiple positions, he likely felt pressure to try and be that guy.

By moving to the Mavericks, Thompson is getting a fresh start. He can re-invent himself without the pressure of trying to replicate what he did in his younger years. That is likely the type of freedom Beverley was alluding to during his podcast appearance.

Whether Thompson can thrive on his new team in a new role will remain to be seen. But if his decision was based on feeling free and enjoying basketball, his decision was likely the right one.

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Warriors set for early-Novemeber return of Klay Thomspon

The Golden State Warriors will welcome Klay Thompson back to the Bay Area on November 12.

According to Shams Charanai of The Atheltic, the Golden State Warriors will face Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks on November 12. The four-time NBA champion left the Bay Area at the start of free agency, joining up with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with the reigning Western Conference champions.

Since losing Thompson, the Warriors have re-tooled their roster, bringing in Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson, thus improving their overall depth and talent pool. Nevertheless, Thompson’s first game back at the Chase Center will be emotional. He’s been a core part of the franchise’s success for over a decade and is one of the most successful players in team history.

Still, the Warriors will undoubtedly be looking to spoil Thompson’s homecoming. Steve Kerr’s team will likely be looking for a strong start to the season after missing out on the 2024 NBA playoffs. Whether they get their wish when facing one of the best teams in the NBA will remain to be seen.

While it will be difficult to see Thompson in another team’s jersey and even harder to root against him throughout the game, his return will undoubtedly be a fun one and will likely have a video tribute tied into the evening at some point.

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Moses Moody cited as Warriors “best-kept secret”

Moses Moody could be set to have a big season for the Golden State Warriors.

Moses Moody has been with the Golden State Warriors since being drafted with the 14th pick in the 2021 NBA draft. He played in 66 regular season games for Steve Kerr’s team during the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 8.1 points, 3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game on 46.2% shooting from the field and 36% from three-point range.

According to Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes, Moody is the Warriors’ “best-kept secret” heading into the new season. The 22-year-old could potentially find himself in a bigger role following the departures of Klay Thompson and Chris Paul, especially as he faces a make-or-break season for his tenure in the Bay Area.

“Moody is a jack of all trades but a master of none,” Hughes wrote. “He’s got ideal wing size and length as a defender, shoots the three at 36.4 percent for his career and generally plays within himself. It’s just that the Warriors seem to always have one or two players who are better at each of those individual skills…Moody enters a prove-it season with new obstacles to his playing time in De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson, plus an ascendant Brandin Podziemski.”

Golden State reportedly offered the Utah Jazz a trade package centered around Moody when attempting to bring Lauri Markkanen to the Bay Area. With that deal failing to come to fruition, Moody has extra incentive to have a breakout season and cement himself in the rotation.

Moody is entering the final year of his current contract. He will be a restricted-free agent next summer. As such, he must make the most of his opportunities in the upcoming season and prove that he can be an impactful member of the rotation. Otherwise, he may be better suited to finding a new team and proving himself elsewhere in the league.

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Warriors could potentially avoid first tax apron

The Golden State Warriors could potentially avoid the luxury tax next season.

The Golden State Warriors have reduced their total salary obligations during the offseason. With Klay Thompson and Chris Paul both leaving the franchise, the Warriors’ cap sheet looks healthier than it has in multiple years. During the 2023-24 season, Joe Lacob noted how he wanted the franchise to reduce its tax burden and potentially avoid being hit with another repeater tax.

In a recent article for Bleacher Report, cap guru Eric Pincus explained how the new cap rules and the Warriors’ recent moves in free agency have set the team up to potentially avoid the first tax apron in the upcoming season.

“The significant change for the Warriors was the reduction in luxury tax from last year’s league-leading $176.9 million penalty,” Pincus wrote. “It wouldn’t be shocking if the franchise dropped entirely below the tax line before the trade deadline. Thompson may be gone, but the team added De’Anthony Melton, Anderson and Hield while dramatically reducing payroll.”

The front office has done a great job of re-tooling the roster while also shedding a significant amount of salary. The Warriors are potentially better equipped than they were last season and could avoid being a luxury tax team in the coming months.
Whether the front office decides to pursue ducking under the luxury tax or commits to adding another impactful player to the rotation remains to be seen. Either way, it’s been a strong summer in the Bay Area.
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NBA fans were thrilled to finally enjoy Steph Curry’s Olympics dominance after torching the league for years

Warriors fans have had it good.

Steph Curry was on another level on Saturday night in Paris as he led the U.S. men’s basketball team to victory over the home favorite French squad, 98-87. Curry went 8-for-13 from three in the game (62.5%), including a late barrage that saw him hit four from deep over a 1:13 span. That late run turned a close game into a done deal and got the long time Golden State Warrior his coveted gold medal.

MORE: This photo of Steph Curry shooting over Victor Wembanyama is absolutely mesmerizing

The flurry of excitement (and threes) made a lot of NBA and basketball fans finally get to enjoy202 just how good the Warriors have had it over the years with Curry at the helm.

Steph Curry hit France with the ‘night, night’ celebration after drilling the dagger for Olympic gold

Steph Curry sealed the win over the Americans in a way that only he could, draining an absurd 3-pointer over two French defenders.

When the game was on the line, Steph Curry stepped up in an incredibly crucial way for the Americans in a way that only he could.

Which is to say, he hit a flurry of ridiculous 3-pointers.

Late in the fourth quarter of the gold medal game, with just 2:58 to play, France cut the U.S. lead to just three points after Victor Wembanyama tipped in an offensive rebound.

And then, 10 seconds later, Curry swished a 3-pointer.

And then another.

And then another.

And then another.

In the final three minutes of the game, Curry scored 12 points to put the game on ice for the Americans. The dagger in the 98-87 victory that paved the way for the U.S. to secure its 17th Olympic gold medal came with 35 seconds left when Curry responded Wembanyama’s 3-pointer by hitting one of his own over two French defenders.

Curry then told the Frenchmen, “Night, night.”

It was an absurd shot that sealed the win, pushing Team USA’s lead back to nine points. Curry would finish with 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting from 3-point land along with five assists, leading the Americans to a win over France on their homecourt.

Even Dwyane Wade was in awe.

Recent Warriors addition labeled “best new weapon”

The recently acquired guard could be the Golden State Warriors “best new weapon” next season.

The Golden State Warriors have re-tooled their roster following the departure of Klay Thompson at the start of free agency. Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson have all joined the franchise, along with rookie Quinten Post. As such, Steve Kerr’s roster and rotations will look considerably different in the upcoming season.

During a recent article for Bleacher Report, Dan Favale cited Melton as being Golden State’s best new weapon. Melton is a two-way guard who thrives as a primary point-of-attack defender. He’s also a reliable scorer, averaging 41% from the field and 36.9% from the perimeter throughout his career thus far.

“Despite standing only 6’3″, the 26-year-old can defend both guard positions and a bunch of different wings,” Favale wrote. “He saw extensive reps against guys like Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum last season alone. Melton’s screen navigation is relentless, and he’s opportunistic in passing lanes and with help. Never mind loose handles and high dribbles. Even those with enviable ball control aren’t safe from turnovers with him around.”

Melton struggled with injury last season. However, if he can remain healthy and eat significant minutes within the rotation, he could become a core part of the Warriors’ defensive system moving forward. 

The Warriors finished as the 15th-ranked defense last season. Melton’s presence within the rotation should help them climb toward (or into) the top 10, which would be a welcomed improvement for a roster that lost multiple games from winning positions during the 2023-24 campaign.

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Jonathan Kuminga’s contract demands revealed

Jonathan Kuminga’s demands for his next contract have been revealed.

Jonathan Kuminga was a breakout star for the Golden State Warriors last season. The explosive forward emerged as a vital piece of the rotation and showcased All-Star level upside. As such, he earned himself a spot in the starting lineup in 46 of his 74 outings for the franchise.

Kuminga is entering the final year of his rookie-scale contract. According to Yahoo Sports Jake Fischer, via his “No Cap Room” podcast, Kuminga will seek a full max contract for his next deal. However, those type of contracts are usually reserved for high-level stars, which he is yet to prove himself as.

“Jonathan Kuminga is entering the final year of his rookie deal where the word around the league from various sources is that Kuminga and his representation are looking for a full max extension, which as we just talked about with Brandon Ingram and Jamal Murray and whoever, like if you’re not an absolute All-Star, Scottie Barnes type of guy for Toronto, Lauri Markkanen for Utah you know, Trae Young for Atlanta back in the day, because look at what happened to Trae Young and Atlanta since then, it’s really hard to get that number,” Fischer said.

If Kuminga is truly seeking such a lofty contract extension, he must produce the best season of his young career. Golden State have re-tooled their roster over the opening month of the off-season. Therefore, Kuminga is expected to have more opportunities and a bigger role. The ball will officially be in his court.

Golden State may choose to reach a middle ground with Kuminga during the season rather than waiting to negotiate next summer. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how the two sides approach negotiations in the coming weeks and months.

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