From 2015 to 2019, the Warriors were easily the best franchise in the league. Moreover, from 2017 to 2019, the Warriors were arguably the greatest team of all time. Only untimely injuries were able to stop the Warriors from a 3-peat in 2019. Through the 2019-20 season, injuries plagued the Warriors. Klay Thompson was always going to miss the season but then Curry injured his hand 4 games into the season.
While the Warriors were the worst team in 2019/20, many are predicting they will be title contenders in 2020/21. This is because they will once again have a healthy and fearsome core of Curry, Thompson, Green, and Wiggins. But unlike their years with Durant, they are no longer prohibitive favourites for the title. Here are three additions that will make the Warriors unstoppable again.
Player #1: TJ Warren
This addition will give the Warriors a proven fourth scorer. In 2019/20, Warren is averaging 18.7 Pts on 52.9% shooting for the Indiana Pacers. He is also shooting 37.5% from 3-pt land. Moreover, Warren is a capable defender with +1.4 Net Rating when he is on the floor. Even with Durant, the Warriors were top-heavy with only three proven scorers.
Adding Warren to Curry, Klay, Wiggins, and Paschall will give the team double-digit scorers. However, it will be difficult to convince the pacers to trade Warren to the Warriors. A trade package that Indiana might accept is the Warriors 2020 first-round pick and Damion Lee for Warren and the Pacers Pick. Warren is only 26 and will give the Warriors depth. Indiana will get the chance to draft a superstar like Anthony Edwards and add a solid bench scorer in Lee.
Player #2: Rodney Hood
Rodney Hood would essentially offer similar things as Warren in a lesser quantity. Warren scores more and with more efficiency. Hood also has had a problem with consistency throughout his career. But he is another player who can score twenty off the bench and adds solid wing presence. Hood is also decent on defence which means the Warriors could ask him and Paschall to lead the second-unit. Hood has a player option so he could be a free agent or the Warriors will have to find a suitable trade for Portland.
Player #3: Marc Gasol
Marquese Chriss seems like the Warriors answer at center for the long term. This would have been unbelievable at the start of 2019-20. But the Warriors are reportedly comfortable with starting at center next season. While that is not a bad option, it is a bold man who would assume that Chriss will be a difference-maker in the playoffs.
Marc Gasol is a good player to target. The free-agent veteran already has a championship and is still a valuable player. He can guard the paint and step out to defend the perimeter. Moreover, he will offer Warriors a stretch big who can knock down threes and finish baskets around the rim in the playoffs.
