Charlie Walter, the host of the daily Locked On Warriors podcast, with your daily Locked On Warriors newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Warriors and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Does Steve Kerr Have A Blind Spot, Or Do The Golden State Warriors Just Need More Talent?
Warriors’ Rotation Woes: Time for a Change?
The Golden State Warriors are facing a critical juncture. With a recent losing streak exposing weaknesses in the team’s foundation, it’s clear that changes are needed. The current 12-man rotation strategy isn’t working, and even Stephen Curry has hinted at the need for more predictable rotations. The inconsistency in playing time for players like Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga raises questions about the team’s depth and top-heavy structure.
The Rotation Dilemma
In the first 14 minutes of the Suns game, 13 Warriors players took the court. This approach disrupts player rhythm and consistency, as evidenced by Curry’s comments on the need for more predictable rotations. The question is, who can the team rely on night after night? Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney are the core players, but beyond them, the lineup lacks clarity. The Warriors need more “dogs"—players who can consistently deliver and elevate the team’s performance.
Steve Kerr has acknowledged the need to rethink the rotation, but how much tinkering is necessary? Historically, a 12-man rotation is rare, and while it was worth trying, it’s now clear that it’s causing more harm than good. The challenge lies in narrowing down the rotation to a reliable group of players. Should Kuminga and Moody be given more opportunities to prove their worth, as their potential remains untapped?
Trade Talks and Future Prospects
The idea of a consolidation trade has been floated, but finding the right deal is tricky. The Warriors need to balance their current roster with potential trades that could bring in a more established star. The market for players like Kuminga and Moody is uncertain, and their value may not be as high as it was in the offseason. However, the team must decide whether to invest in their development or explore trade options.
The Warriors’ depth was once a strength, but the loss of a key player like De’Anthony Melton has highlighted its fragility. The team needs to find a way to strengthen its bench and ensure that the top players are supported. Until a trade materializes, the focus should be on maximizing the potential of the current roster.
The Warriors are at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the coming weeks will shape the team’s future. Whether it’s adjusting the rotation or exploring trade options, the goal is clear: to build a team capable of contending for a championship.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Warriors’ rotation challenges and potential trade scenarios, tune into the Locked On Warriors podcast for this and much more.
December 1, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada/Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
You’d be forgiven if, a quarter of the way through the season (yes), you haven’t given the following teams that much attention. Maybe your main rooting interest has been struggling, and it’s taken all your psychic energy to will them through the slump. Better yet, maybe your team is thriving and you’ve been enjoying the ride. Maybe you’re still looking for a team to get behind, in which case, the following three franchises would make great options.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks being on this list has not alleviated my general wariness of the Hawks as a whole, but they’ve been playing through some of the things that make me doubt them. First, the Hawks love to play up. That is, they tend to excel against technically better and markedly more skilled teams; teams farther along the competitive timeline that I always get they feeling Atlanta would rather emulate than put the work in to be at the same level with.
This season, the Hawks are still playing up — they’ve beat the best in conference Cavaliers twice — but they’re recognizing what should be easy wins, like against the Charlotte Hornets. With Trae Young injured and in and out of the lineup, Atlanta’s bench has provided some of the most needed and entertaining offensive bursts in the league, with De’Andre Hunter back with a vengeance after being out for 10 games with a knee injury. Hunter’s regularly putting up 20-plus points per night, and hounding the glass.
Atlanta has a string of high-low games this week, facing the Pelicans, Bucks, Lakers and Nuggets, which should be an ample test to whether they can play and stay consistent.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Draymond Green challenges the Warriors to improve their performance. His leadership aims to reignite the team’s competitive spirit. (Sports Illustrated)
Roster Stephen Curry suggests the Warriors should trim their rotation for more predictability. His insight points to strategic changes needed to optimize team performance. (CBS Sports)
Milestone Jimmy Butler misses shot so Bam Adebayo can record a triple-double in Heat win (Bleacher Report)
Don’t let other episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Warriors podcasts.
Golden State Warriors Finalizing Deal To Land Dennis Schroder Of Brooklyn Nets
Live reaction to the reports that Dennis Schroder is being traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Golden State Warriors.
When And How Will The Golden State Warriors Late Game Scoring Struggles Change?
The Golden State Warriors were in a similar position late, failing to score for a long stretch to close the game and giving away a game the Dubs should have won. Where did it go wrong for the Warriors, and how are they going to fix this from continuing to be a theme??
Steph Curry Speaks Out: The Urgency of Tightening the Warriors’ Rotation
With the Golden State Warriors in a slump, Steph Curry made a subtle push for change. Today’s show debates the balance between development and immediate performance. The episode also explores trade rumors and the strategic decisions Coach Steve Kerr faces in optimizing the roster. With a mix of analysis and speculation, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the Warriors’ path forward amidst a competitive Western Conference landscape.
