Projecting Warriors' Depth Chart, Rotation After 2024 NBA Free Agency

Zach Buckley@@ZachBuckleyNBAX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJuly 25, 2024

Projecting Warriors' Depth Chart, Rotation After 2024 NBA Free Agency

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    LOS ANGELES, CA - MACH 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors & Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game on March 16, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
    Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

    So, these are the Golden State Warriors now, huh?

    Or for the time being, at least.

    No Klay Thompson or Chris Paul. Still Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. It's a familiar group with some distinct differences.

    More changes could still be in the works (more on that later), but with NBA free agency winding down, let's take this opportunity to project the updated depth chart and rotation for next season.

Depth Chart

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    SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 10: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2024 NBA California Classic Summer League game on July 7, 2024 at Chase Center 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
    Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

    Point Guard

    Stephen Curry

    De'Anthony Melton

    Shooting Guard

    Brandin Podziemski

    Gary Payton II

    Lindy Waters III

    Small Forward

    Andrew Wiggins

    Buddy Hield

    Moses Moody

    Power Forward

    Jonathan Kuminga

    Kyle Anderson

    Gui Santos

    Center

    Draymond Green

    Trayce Jackson-Davis

    Kevon Looney

Rotation

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    LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 16:  Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors & Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors high five during the game on March 16, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
    Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

    Think of that depth chart as both fluid and a little misleading.

    For starters, we're not entirely sure about the starters. Coach Steve Kerr usually practices caution with giving Draymond Green too many minutes as small-ball center, so there's absolutely a chance that Trayce Jackson-Davis works his way into the opening lineup. Veteran mainstay Kevon Looney could even man the middle in certain matchups.

    If the Dubs want to put their best five on the floor, though, then they need to slot Green at the 5 to clear the forward spots for Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga. They also probably need to have Brandin Podziemski at the 2. That could leave this guard group a little exposed defensively, but Stephen Curry needs a release valve on offense, and Podziemski arguably offers the best blend of shooting, handling and distributing.

    It's sort of a minutes mash behind those five. Newcomers De'Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson will all play, but it's unclear where or how often. It's also tough to tell whether Moses Moody might get denied regular floor time once again. And while there isn't an obvious candidate to replace Paul as Curry's backup, there are several candidates for the job, including Melton, Anderson and even Podziemski doing double-duty.

What's Left to Sort Out

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    SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 15: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz drives into Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half of a game at Delta Center on February 15, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
    Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

    The longstanding narrative around this team is that lacks a clear-cut co-star for Curry. Will that remain a talking point next season, or will the Warriors finally trade for someone capable of handling that role?

    Are they willing to bet the farm on Lauri Markkanen? Do they even have enough to pry him out of Salt Lake City? Is Brandon Ingram a viable alternative if Markkanen is off the table?

    These debates are surely ongoing within the Dubs' world of decision-makers. This team might feel trapped in limbo until they find some resolutions, though.

    Golden State's roster is one of the deepest around, but it's arguably too deep and in need of some consolidating. Free agency did nothing to change that.

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