The Golden State Warriors’ Issues and Their Tried-and-True Remedy: A Deep Dive into the Path Forward
The Golden State Warriors are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, consistently a contender over the past decade. Their blend of offensive firepower, tactical ingenuity, and superstar talent—led by Stephen Curry—has made them synonymous with modern basketball success. However, in the ever-evolving NBA landscape, no team is immune to struggles. As of recent seasons, the Warriors have faced a set of challenges that threaten to disrupt their championship window. The question that emerges is: How do the Warriors address these issues, and what is the tried-and-true remedy that has served them in the past?
In order to understand how the Warriors can right the ship, we must first break down the specific issues currently plaguing the team. While the exact challenges facing the Warriors may fluctuate from game to game, the core issues can be categorized into a few broad categories: roster imbalance, defensive struggles, and bench inconsistency. Fortunately, history offers a clear remedy to each of these areas—solutions the Warriors have implemented successfully in the past.
I. Roster Imbalance: Too Many Stars, Not Enough Complementary Pieces
A team with multiple superstar players is generally a good problem to have. For the Warriors, this has been a double-edged sword. The trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green has been the bedrock of the Warriors’ success, guiding the team to multiple championships in the past decade. But as the years have passed, the challenge has been integrating newer players into the system while still maintaining the core’s synergy.
The problem: The Warriors’ roster imbalance stems from several factors. On one hand, they still have three All-Star caliber players in Curry, Thompson, and Green, whose contracts are among the highest in the league. This constricts the amount of cap space available to build around them. On the other hand, the Warriors’ recent foray into developing younger players, such as Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, and James Wiseman, has yielded mixed results. While these players show promise, they have yet to consistently contribute at a high level, and their development has not followed the rapid curve that the Warriors had hoped for.
This imbalance, where the Warriors are overly reliant on a few aging stars and underdeveloped younger players, creates a strain on the team’s overall depth. The Warriors’ bench often falls short in terms of providing consistent production, especially on the defensive end.
The remedy: Historically, the Warriors have always thrived when they complemented their superstar trio with versatile role players who can contribute in multiple facets of the game. The remedy here is simple: the Warriors need to make targeted moves to reinforce their roster with experienced, reliable role players who can fit seamlessly into their system.
In past years, Golden State has found success by trading for veteran players or signing players who fit their specific needs, particularly players who can defend, shoot, and space the floor. A prime example of this was their acquisition of Andre Iguodala, who brought a wealth of experience, defensive prowess, and a championship pedigree to the team. His ability to fit into multiple positions, both offensively and defensively, was crucial to the Warriors’ success during their 2015-2019 championship runs.
In today’s NBA, the Warriors could look for similar additions—perhaps a wing defender or a stretch big who can shoot the three and space the floor while offering some protection on defense. Another trade or free-agent signing that brings in an experienced and versatile player could go a long way in addressing the current imbalance.
II. Defensive Struggles: A Decline in the Warriors’ Defensive Identity
The Warriors’ defense, once one of the most feared in the league, has noticeably declined in recent seasons. The departure of key defenders such as Kevin Durant and the aging of Draymond Green has left the Warriors with significant gaps in their defensive schemes. For a team that historically relied on elite defensive systems to complement its offensive firepower, this has become a pressing issue.
The problem: Golden State’s defense has regressed in multiple areas, especially in one-on-one matchups and in transition defense. Opponents have exploited the Warriors’ vulnerabilities, particularly in the paint and on the perimeter. Green, once the engine that powered the Warriors’ defense, is still capable but is no longer the same defender he was in his prime, while the team’s wing defenders have struggled to contain quick and athletic players.
Moreover, the Warriors’ inability to consistently get stops has led to their offense being exposed. The team often finds itself playing catch-up in games where it has failed to establish defensive dominance.
The remedy: The Warriors have historically relied on their defense to fuel their offense, and this must remain a central tenet of their strategy moving forward. The solution here is twofold: First, the Warriors need to revitalize their defensive system by returning to their roots. Second, they need to bring in players who can shore up their defense.
To address the first point, the Warriors could benefit from leaning into their small-ball “death lineup,” featuring Green at the center, surrounded by shooters and versatile defenders. While this lineup was once the most dominant in the league, it will require more consistent play from Green, who is no longer at the peak of his powers. Additionally, the Warriors could explore more switch-heavy defensive schemes, which would take advantage of their ability to guard multiple positions.
On the personnel side, the Warriors need to invest in players who can defend at an elite level. This might mean moving on from some of their current young assets and seeking out a player like a lockdown perimeter defender or a rangy forward who can provide much-needed rim protection. The addition of someone like this would allow the Warriors to return to their defensive identity and provide more stability on that end of the floor.
III. Bench Inconsistency: Lack of Depth and Reliable Production
Another area where the Warriors have struggled in recent seasons is in the consistency of their bench. While they have some talented young players like Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga, the team’s second unit has often been a liability, particularly in high-stakes moments. This is where the Warriors have felt the greatest imbalance between their superstar starters and the role players who surround them.
The problem: The Warriors’ bench players, while capable of high-energy spurts, often lack the consistency required to sustain a deep playoff run. Whether it’s lack of shot-making ability, defensive lapses, or simply an inability to make the right decisions in crucial moments, the Warriors’ bench often becomes a point of weakness. This issue has been exacerbated by the Warriors’ reliance on their aging core, with Curry, Thompson, and Green playing large minutes to make up for the bench’s shortcomings.
The remedy: To solve the bench inconsistency, the Warriors need to once again lean on the principles that have served them well in the past—systematic basketball and depth through a blend of veterans and rising talents. The Warriors’ bench should be built with players who complement the system, including shooters who can keep the floor spaced, players who can defend at multiple positions, and young players who have the potential to grow into reliable contributors.
An effective remedy for this would be a focus on developing young players like Moody and Kuminga, who have the physical tools to contribute on both ends of the floor. Moreover, the Warriors should consider signing or trading for established veterans who can stabilize the bench and provide leadership during tough stretches of games. A solid veteran presence like Iguodala’s, even in a lesser role, could go a long way toward providing the bench unit with the necessary guidance and stability.
