NBA legend Kevin Garnett recently released a seismic evaluation of the Golden State Warriors, shaking up playoff forecasts. His assessment of Stephen Curry and the team. Garnett’s honest assertions carry enormous weight in the league and have the power to change opinions of the Warriors’ playoff prospects.
Garnett’s insights into Curry and the team dynamics could change the way people think about Golden State’s postseason run. Garnett’s recent evaluation is expected to drastically alter the narrative around the Warriors’ postseason possibilities, given his history of keen analysis and status in the basketball world.
Kevin Garnett brushes aside Warriors’ playoff potential
In the middle of the Golden State Warriors’ rough start to the season, Celtics legend Kevin Garnett has issued a dismal forecast, discounting the veteran-laden squad’s chances of making the NBA playoffs in 2024. The Warriors, who sit 11th in the Western Conference after 20 games with a 9-11 record, have an uphill climb after losing 10 of their last 14 games. Recent losses, particularly relinquishing significant leads, have exacerbated their difficulties, causing anxiety.
Garnett’s honest judgement, delivered on his podcast “KG Certified” with co-host Paul Pierce, bluntly rejects the Warriors’ playoff hopes, characterising them as a lottery-bound team. Garnett dismissed the notion of Golden State being a play-in team, pointing to the Western Conference’s competitive atmosphere, implying that other teams’ growth was overshadowing Golden State’s.
The Warriors’ mediocrity on both the offensive and defensive fronts, where they are ranked 15th and 17th, highlights their difficulties. While Steph Curry leads the team in scoring with 29.1 points per game, as Garnett points out, the team mainly relies on his brilliance, leaving a significant scoring gap with other crucial players. Given their current track, a quick recovery appears necessary for the 2022 NBA champions to reappear in the playoff picture.
Warriors reportedly considering to part ways with Chris Paul
Despite a bright start, the Golden State Warriors have had unpredictable performances in the 2023-24 season, slipping into inconsistency. A recent 3-7 run, combined with poor performances from important players such as Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins, has tested the team’s competitiveness.
Meanwhile, veteran Chris Paul, despite being a significant asset, could be traded. According to Mike Scotto of Hoops Hype, the Warriors are considering trading Paul because of his large contract and the 50% guarantee for the upcoming season.
Parting ways with Paul might provide the Warriors with more flexibility in terms of roster improvement without jeopardizing their core. This prospective trade scenario might play out if the team’s troubles continue, allowing them to use Paul’s contract to pursue a smart move.
In light of the uncertainty surrounding players’ performances and the team’s destiny, dealing Paul for star-level assets such as Pascal Siakam or Zach LaVine could be an appealing alternative. The realization of such trade negotiations, however, remains hypothetical, reliant on the mutual interest and willingness of other teams to engage in such transactions. Paul’s role with the Warriors may transition from a stabilizing force to a potential trade asset as the season continues.