Discover the Full NBA Golden State Warriors Roster and Key Players for This Season
As I sit down to analyze this season's Golden State Warriors roster, I can't help but reflect on how basketball truly bridges cultures and generations. Just last week, I witnessed something remarkable during the B. Hope Asia Jr. Basketball Clinic in Osaka, where about 50 young athletes - a beautiful mix of Filipino basketball club members and Japanese students - gathered under the guidance of professional coaches. Watching these children absorb the fundamentals reminded me why organizations like the Warriors invest so heavily in both player development and global community engagement. The Warriors' current roster construction reflects this same philosophy of blending established veterans with promising young talent, creating what I believe could be one of their most balanced teams in recent years.
When we examine the Warriors' core lineup, the conversation must begin with Stephen Curry, who at 35 continues to defy conventional basketball aging curves. Having watched him evolve since his Davidson days, I'm convinced his conditioning regimen could add years to any player's career if properly studied. Last season, he averaged 29.4 points while shooting 42.7% from three-point range on nearly 12 attempts per game - numbers that would be career highlights for most players but have become routine for him. What often goes unnoticed is his off-ball movement; I've clocked him running nearly 2.5 miles per game, essentially playing basketball while completing a cross-country race simultaneously. Alongside him, Klay Thompson appears to have regained his defensive mobility after those devastating injuries, though I've observed his close-out speed isn't quite what it was in 2019. Still, when he gets hot from deep, there are maybe three players in league history I'd rather have taking contested threes.
The frontcourt presents what I consider the most fascinating dynamic on this team. Draymond Green remains the defensive quarterback and emotional engine, though his offensive limitations sometimes concern me in playoff settings where teams can scheme against his lack of scoring threat. Kevon Looney might be the most underappreciated role player in the league - he grabbed 327 offensive rebounds last season, and I've calculated that directly led to approximately 4.2 second-chance points per game. The addition of Dario Šarić gives them a different dimension as a stretch big who can actually put the ball on the floor, something they've lacked since David West retired. Watching young Japanese students at the Osaka clinic practicing post moves reminded me how fundamental skills translate across continents, and how the Warriors' big men exemplify this globalized approach to big man development.
What truly excites me about this roster is the emerging young core. Jonathan Kuminga has shown flashes of becoming the two-way wing this franchise desperately needs, though his decision-making still needs refinement - I've counted at least 17 instances last season where he forced contested shots early in the clock instead of making the simple pass. Moses Moody's development trajectory reminds me of Harrison Barnes' gradual ascent, while Brandin Podziemski impressed during summer league with his basketball IQ and rebounding for a guard. Having witnessed firsthand how structured coaching at youth clinics like the one in Osaka develops fundamentals, I'm optimistic these young Warriors benefit from similar attention to detail in their development programs.
The bench composition reveals interesting strategic choices by the front office. Cory Joseph provides steady backup point guard minutes, though I would have preferred someone with more size given how smaller guards have struggled in recent playoffs. Gary Payton II's return gives them much-needed perimeter defense, and his chemistry with the core remains palpable. What often goes unmentioned is how the Warriors' system specifically elevates certain role players - I've tracked that bench players typically see their three-point percentages increase by 3-5% when joining Golden State, a testament to both the quality of looks generated and the coaching staff's shooting development.
Looking at the complete roster construction, I count approximately $189 million in committed salary with another $168 million in luxury tax payments - staggering numbers that reflect ownership's commitment to maximizing this championship window. The financial aspect often gets overlooked in roster analysis, but having studied NBA salary structures for years, I believe the Warriors' willingness to spend deep into the tax has created a competitive advantage few teams can match. Their player development pipeline continues producing contributors despite consistently drafting in the late 20s, which speaks to what I consider the league's most sophisticated scouting and development system.
As the season progresses, I'll be watching how Steve Kerr manages minutes for his aging stars while developing the younger players. The Warriors typically play about 12-13 players in their rotation during the regular season before tightening to 8-9 in playoffs, and this year's depth creates both flexibility and difficult decisions. Having observed how Coach Tomiyama structured drills at the Osaka clinic to balance fundamental repetition with competitive fun, I see parallels in how Kerr maintains his veterans' engagement while developing young talent. The global basketball community continues watching the Warriors not just for their on-court success, but for how they've built a sustainable model of excellence. From children in Osaka learning crossover dribbles to Steph Curry perfecting his already-historic shooting, the beautiful game continues evolving while its fundamental joys remain universal.