Golden State Warriors: Evaluating The Baby Warriors Production So Far

Jan 22, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) and guard Patrick McCaw (0) high five against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Golden State Warriors defeated the Orlando Magic 118-98. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) and guard Patrick McCaw (0) high five against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Golden State Warriors defeated the Orlando Magic 118-98. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw (0) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Overview

The Golden State Warriors youth movement is interesting. None of the Baby Warriors look like sure-fire future stars, but McCaw, Looney and Jones all appear like they could become effective role players.

That’s all the Warriors really need from them, honestly. With Curry, Durant, Thompson and Green all around, the focus clearly isn’t on these youngsters becoming 20 point per game scorers or anything like that.

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With Pachulia currently injured and he and JaVale McGee both becoming unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, though, Looney and Jones could find themselves as crucial role players on a championship-caliber team next year.

McCaw could end up as the primary bench guard, considering Shaun Livingston and Ian Clark will both also be free agents after this season.

This group isn’t going to see tons of minutes this year except for situations like that Nuggets game, where other players are sitting out.

In Golden State’s next game against the Sacramento Kings, McCaw and Jones both saw their minutes reduced massively thanks to the return of Thompson and Livingston.

Looney, interestingly, got around 16 minutes in each game. He and McCaw are already rotational players, and it’s a safe bet that Steve Kerr will find ways to try them out more going forward.

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That could be in preparation for the future or simply out of necessity, but either way these Baby Warriors will be factors in Golden State’s coming title run this season.