Warriors Re-Wind 2020-21

The 2019-20 season was full of hope and promise for a young and upcoming Warriors team. They finished with a record of 46-36 and locked in the 7^th seed in the West with their season ultimately coming to an end at the hands of the Phoenix Suns in game 7 of the first round. Fans watched on with disappointment but ultimately felt a sense of hope that the young duo of LaVine and Ayton would take the lessons and hit the offseason hard. 2020-21 looked like a year for hope and redemption.

 

GM Titlesorbust has never been one to keep expectations tapered, I mean let�s face it, his name is Titles or bust, so the league watched on to see what the front office could cook up as they headed into the new season.

 

The love-child Zach Lavine may have heard his name hit the trade block once or twice over the break, though I�m not sure many teams had the capital to pry his services from his biggest fan, GM Titles. The ultimate decision reached by the Warriors� front office was to keep the duo together and move the pieces around them, in the hope of bringing back players on a similar timeline that can be part of the build in culture.

 

Most of the savvy veteran role players on the roster were shown the door and replaced young upside players whose breakout would carry the hopes of the franchise. In came Andrew Wiggins, Dillon Brooks, Gary Harris, Jakob Poeltl and a stable of youth role players. Out went Enes Kanter, Monte Morris, Terrence Ross and Al Horford to name some of the vets rostered from previous years. It seemed a changing of the guard in San Fran but would it bring a title or another bust?

 

 

 

What�s the goal?

 

For all teams the goal is different, if you�re in the window, it�s title or bust (I said it again), but finding out if you�re in the window can be a tough but liberating feeling. It didn�t take too long into the season for the Warriors to realise they were a step below the big dogs in the league. The fresh meat had brought a buzz of excitement but it wasn�t leading to upticks in the most important category, wins. GM Titles realised it was time to move the posts and keep the youth playing minutes, while maintaining a culture of winning and not just throwing the hands up in the air and letting go of the controls (RESPECT!). Besides, playoffs were attainable, they simply needed to finish within the top 10 to get a shot via the play-in tournament.

 

After a gruelling season and stumbling to the finish line, going 2-8 in the final 10 games, the Warriors would get a shot at playoffs via the play-in. It was win or go home, just the way Titles likes it, big stakes. And the stakes couldn�t be bigger as the Warriors� season depended on winning 2 consecutive games to secure the 8^th seed.

                                                                

The Play-Ins

 

The league watched on as GM Klemm and Titles had a to and fro in the discord that showed the true spirit of competition. Klemm disrespected LaVine, Ayton, the Warriors, heck most people and Titles returned serve. �One finger up, and I�m out cause Sacramento ain�t even worth two! Warriors in one!� Spouted titles, throwing verbal and literal haymakers at Klemmy and his Kings. The result? Warriors rally and take down the Kings to advance to the showdown for the 8^th seed!

The only thing standing between the Warriors and a return to the playoffs was a team full of white-flingers, the Jokic led Houston Rockets. The Rockets were coming off a terrific win against a tough Memphis outfit, which was surprising considering the Rockets were coming off a 70-point loss heading into the playoffs. The Warriors were fancied for an upset win.

 

A fairy-tale return to playoffs and playoff run was what all basketball fans wanted what they got was a calculated and spirited response from the Rockets who shot the Warriors out of the building. In stunning circumstances, GM Titles and his boys were hit hard by reality, another bust. Season over.

 

Perhaps the Warriors saved a little face, the Houston Rockets went on to take a brutal sweeping at the hands of a healthy KD and Dallas outfit who looked determined to go deep into the playoffs. All fans can do is wonder what might�ve been as the season came to a close.

 

 

 

Off the Court- Moves that Shaped the Warriors in 2020-21

 

GM Titles was an active trader throughout the season who became more active as the season went on. He understood what his roster was and where it fit amongst the rest of the league in terms of talent. To his credit, he didn�t want to hit the �tank button�, opting to compete at all costs, regardless of whether it impacted his drafting position.

GM Titlesorbust hits the reboot button
Warriors trade � Harrison Barnes
Warriors receive � Gary Harris

These two players had big contracts going into the start of the season. Harris was the younger guy with upside, if he could find his jump shot, Barnes would surely start to slow down with a reduce role. Barnes went on to play for multiple teams and put up solid numbers, Harris had a forgettable season. Harris now finds himself in a new situation in Orlando in the NBA on a $20mil expiring contract meaning this deal could still work out in favour of the Warriors.

Trading Nursing Homes, Landing a First Round Pick
Warriors trade � Al Horford
Warriors receive � Andre Iguodala, JJ Redick and 2025 first round pick (Phi)

 

Once Titles saw a need to bring in some future assets to build around his stars, he got savvy and made terrific moves. This deal was a super return for an aging and expensive veteran contract.

 

 

 

Moving Monte
Warriors trade � Monte Morris and 2025 first round pick (Phi)
Warriors receive � Chris Clemons and 2021 first round pick (pick 14- Ziaire Williams)

After acquiring the Philly pick, the Warriors moved it on to bring back their first rounder. Their immediate future would be in their hands once more.   

 

Kanter Argue with that
Warriors trade � Enes Kanter and Abdel Nader
Warriors receive � Jakob Poeltl and Udonis Haslem

 

Kanter is a real-life pig but a 2k jet, Poeltl is a real-life pig. But Poeltl could be good and will get plenty of opportunity to breakout this coming season in San Antonio as the sole Center, which will make him a valuable commodity for his savvy GM. Kanter is an unrestricted free agent this offseason which makes this deal look even better for Titles.

 

Wig-in, sell the House

Warriors trade � Andre Iguodala, Terrence Ross, KCP, Danuel House Jr, 2022 first round pick (Cle), 2024 first round pick (GSW), 2025 second round pick (GSW)
Warriors receive � Andrew Wiggins, Frank Ntilikina, Dillion Brooks, first round pick 2023 (Orl)

A blockbuster trade was worked as the deadline approached with the aim to give the Warriors a chance to shake up the playoffs. A bold move by Titles which ultimately didn�t quite pay off. Wiggins is looking the best he has as he contributes to wins in NBA Warrior land. He is also a 2K asset as his athleticism makes him a headache to match-up on. Brooks is an underrated scorer as well with plenty of time on his side to improve and be a strong role player in the league.

Cleveland Player of the Year � Zach LaVine
29.5 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 54% fg

 

All the cries of �Ma boieee Zach� made sense this year. He took the leap. LaVine was one of the best scorers in the league and worthy of a look-in on one of the All-NSL teams. In order for the Warriors to be in the playoff picture, LaVine had to do everything in his power and more. He is absolutely beloved by his GM, which will make this offseason coming super interesting for outsiders.

LaVine has one year left on his current deal and looks to have found his team and a management that will support him, both in the NSL and NBA. He has been working this off-season, both in the gym and at the Olympics, and looks to have added defensive elements to his game. If he was ever ready to jump to superstar status it�s now. Contractually, it couldn�t come at a better time for him and the league is watching on to see how his season unfolds. Will he extend or assess his free agency options? Will Titles ride the roller coaster and await a hopeful re-sign or will there he be proactive and begin to gauge the market on the franchise star?

 

 

Off-Season � the Draft

 

Titles headed into the draft with the last lottery pick, number 14 and two second round picks (44 and 53). With the picks ascertained, the Warriors brought back a stable of youth headlined by boom-or-bust talent Ziaire Williams. At pick 14, the Stanford forward was a worthwhile risk but one that has been met with mixed reviews. Questions about his frame and shooting ability as well as his sub-par season at Stanford kept GMs from taking a swing on this once touted big man. If it pays off and he finds a spot in a talented young Memphis roster, picking up Williams at 14 could be one of the steals of the draft.   

 

 

The Future

 

This offseason the Warriors will once again be a player. They NEED to find another piece to complete a big 3 with Zach and Ayton, but who could that piece be? With 117 GMs in hand and a few roster spots, Titles will likely throw a few haymakers to try and give his stars reason to sign on in Golden State. But the improvement will most likely have to come from within.

 

Ayton has been teasing a leap since entering the league. He�s stated publicly that he is a max player and he�s playing to prove it this year. If he�s going to BOOM, now is the time. We saw defensive growth last year, hopefully Ayton has added some post poise and killer instinct to his game for 2021-22.

 

One thing that�s for sure is this is the most important offseason the Warriors have ever had. It�s boom or bust for Titles.

 

Current roster:
C- DeAndre Ayton and Jakob Poeltl
PF- Nassir Little
SF- Andrew Wiggins, Dillon Brooks, Troy Brown Jr
SG- Zach LaVine, Gary Harris, Ziaire Williams  
PG- Chris Clemons