Different expectations for new-look Warriors in 2019-20
By Alan Mena
2019-20 roster
Key additions: D’Angelo Russell (sign-and-trade), Willie Cauley-Stein (free agency), Alen Smailagic (draft), Jordan Poole (draft), Eric Paschall (draft), Omari Spellman (trade), Alec Burks (free agency), Glenn Robinson III (free agency), Ky Bowman (free agency), Andrew Harrison (free agency), Kavion Pippen (free agency), and Marquese Chriss (free agency).
Key subtractions: Kevin Durant (sign-and-trade), DeMarcus Cousins (free agency) Andre Iguodala (trade), Shaun Livingston (retirement), Andrew Bogut (free agency), Quinn Cook (free agency), Jonas Jerebko (free agency) and Jordan Bell (free agency).
While losing KD, Cousins, Livingston, Iggy and Klay to injury in one summer will have a lasting impact on the Warriors’ championship aspirations moving forward, they were able to pull off quite a successful offseason.
Bob Myers and the Warriors did a fantastic job at being able to pull off a sign-and-trade for D’Angelo Russell when KD decided to join the Brooklyn Nets, staying afloat in the playoff race in the process.
Furthermore, the Warriors also had a successful 2019 NBA Draft; selecting Jordan Poole (18th), trading for Alen Smailagic (39th) and selecting Eric Paschall (41st). All three rookies have shown flashes of their talent throughout the preseason, specifically their versatility on offensive with a lot of room for improvement on the defensive end.
The Warriors will have to play most of the upcoming season without Klay for the first time in his career, which will push Curry and Green to shoulder the load on both ends of the floor while their younger teammates will steadily improve throughout the season.