Golden State Warriors: 3 best-case scenarios from a chaotic season

Scenario No. 2 for the Golden State Warriors: Balanced path of postseason plus youth development

Even if Steph Curry continues to be on fire the rest of the season, it only proves what everyone already knows: that Curry is the greatest shooter of all time, and he is still firmly in his prime. To maximize that prime next season, the Warriors hope to gain two things down the stretch run: postseason experience and signs of growth from their young players.

The injury to James Wiseman is unfortunate for gaining the latter, but it probably helps the former. In this scenario Eric Paschall steps up, slotting in at small-ball center and rediscovering his outside shot. He plays well enough to both increase his trade value and earn consideration for next season’s rotation.

The true breakout stars of the stretch run will be Jordan Poole (already breaking out) and Nico Mannion. Together they average 35 points per game over the last month of the season, with Mannion proving himself as Curry’s backup and Poole as next season’s sixth man. Their play helps drive the Warriors to a win in the play-in tournament before a first-round exit.

By July James Wiseman is ready for action, and he shows out in Summer League with intentional improvement to his hands and rebounding. The Warriors go 4-0 in the Summer League before sitting Wiseman, then watch Mannion and his fellow 2020 second-round pick Justinian Jessup lead the Summer League team to the title.

With a young collection of reserves, the Warriors are able to balance their aging core and make a leap back up the standings next season.