7 Harsh realities of the Golden State Warriors offseason

Harsh Reality #4: The Warriors failed to emulate the Spurs model.

The Warriors’ decision to ditch their youth movement in favor of adding more veterans might help them win games, but it means that their goal of emulating the San Antonio Spurs has failed. The Spurs, with coach Gregg Popovich and Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, led the team to unprecedented success over a three-decade span.

The Warriors were hoping to do something similar with Curry and Steve Kerr, but the Spurs accomplished that feat by consistently drafting and developing players to complement their best player. Golden State’s recent draft track record is much spottier, with Kevon Looney being the only Warriors draft pick taken in the last eight years to currently have a spot in their rotation.

Of course, they drafted Curry, Thompson, and Green, but the Spurs drafted Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. They then followed that up by bringing in undrafted players, undervalued free agents, and successful drafting.

Obviously, there are different ways to win a championship, and Golden State’s four championships and six NBA Finals appearances proves that they are successful in their own right. That being said, it’s clear that they aren’t the Spurs, who have continued to identify talent and now have a great young team around number one pick Victor Wembanyama. The Warriors can’t bank on that strategy post-Curry, Thompson, and Green, though there are other ways to rebuild.