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.
The Golden State Warriors: A Team at a Crossroads
I can’t help but feel we’ve reached a critical juncture. Despite having worse or equal records in previous seasons, there’s a palpable sense that we’ve hit a boiling point. The same issues keep resurfacing, and as Curry himself put it, it’s “mid.”
The question on everyone’s mind is: When will things change, and how?
Let’s face it - this team, as currently constructed, isn’t built to win an NBA championship. Joe Lacob’s offseason goal of another title seems increasingly out of reach. With limited trade chips and assets, it’s hard to envision a path back to true contention without some creative maneuvering.
So where do we go from here? How can the Warriors get better immediately?
One intriguing option that keeps coming up in discussions is Zion Williamson. At just 24 years old, Zion offers a tantalizing blend of otherworldly athleticism and polished skills that could potentially mesh with Curry’s remaining prime years. When healthy, he’s a consistent 25-6-5 threat who finishes at an elite level around the rim.
The concerns about Zion’s durability are valid. However, the Warriors’ award-winning training staff has a strong track record of keeping stars like Curry and Green on the court. Perhaps they could work similar magic with Zion.
Acquiring Zion would likely require parting with significant assets - possibly Andrew Wiggins and/or Jonathan Kuminga. It’s a high-risk, high-reward proposition that could either propel the Warriors back into title contention or backfire spectacularly.
But at this point, don’t the Warriors need to swing for the fences? Curry is a generational talent, and the franchise owes it to him to maximize these final years of his prime. Marginal moves for players like Nikola Vucevic or John Collins simply won’t move the needle enough.
As painful as it is to admit, the current iteration of “Warriors basketball” feels broken. It may be time to reimagine what this team can be. Adding a dynamic force like Zion could usher in an exciting new era, even if it means departing from some staples of the system.
The coming weeks will be crucial. Will the Warriors settle for tinkering around the edges, or will they make the bold move needed to truly compete for another title? One thing is certain - the status quo is no longer acceptable. It’s time for change in the Bay Area.
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.
League at Large
The Cavs, the Thunder, and the joy of a job well done
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. | Ken Blaze/Imagn Images
The ESPN broadcast had its usual coach interview at the start of the fourth quarter, but the dialogue was far from typical. Instead of anodyne coach-speak, a smiling Kenny Atkinson marveled at the basketball being played before him.
“What a great basketball game,” the Cavaliers coach gushed. “I wish I could just sit back and watch it.”
As someone who did precisely that, I can say that Atkinson sure wasn’t wrong.
Cleveland/OKC had something for everyone. There were loud dunks, post moves, occasional but far from overwhelming flurries of three-pointers, high-level shotmaking, ping-pong ball movement, and great all-around defense (despite what the final score might indicate).
The major players exerted maximum effort on both sides and played more than their usual share of minutes. Coaches unveiled tactical adjustments at a lightning pace, counters to counters at a rate you usually only see in the playoffs. There was even a lot of zone defense (which, if you read Basketball Poetry, you would’ve been prepared for!). The refs were largely inobtrusive and inconsequential.
Frankly, if you didn’t like this game, there’s not much hope for you.
Something that struck me halfway through an exquisite third quarter: everyone on the court was simply doing their job. I don’t love how that sentence reads on paper; it makes it sound like a dull affair, people clocking in and clocking out before going to a chain bar with flashing neon signs instead of character for their preferred domestic light pilsner of choice.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. What is an NBA player’s job if not to entertain?
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Injury Steph Curry expressed deep frustration following the Warriors’ loss to the Heat, highlighting the impact of ongoing injuries on team performance and morale. (Golden State of Mind)
Rumor The Warriors are reportedly targeting a bigger star than Jimmy Butler, suggesting potential major moves to bolster their roster. (Sports Illustrated)
Milestone Victor Wembanyama surpassed Steph Curry on the NBA MVP leaderboard, marking a significant moment in the current season. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Warriors will face the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Analysis A look at the state of zone defense in the NBA. Who’s running it, and who isn’t? (Basketball Poetry)
Must Read NBA greats think this D-II coach is a basketball genius. So why don’t you know who Jim Crutchfield is? (The Athletic)
Analysis Is this the worst rookie class in modern NBA history? Jared Dubin examines box-score production to compare this year’s rookies to the past. (Last Night in Basketball)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Must-Add Players and Surprising Drops
Jan 7, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images | John Hefti/John Hefti-Imagn Images
As we approach the NBA trade deadline, it’s crucial to stay on top of the fantasy basketball waiver wire. Let’s dive into the most added and dropped players over the last 48 hours, and discuss some must-roster options for your fantasy teams.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. tops the list of most added players on Basketball Monster. While he’s had two solid games recently, I’m cautious about his long-term value, especially if Jimmy Butler is traded. Remember, any incoming player in a Butler trade could easily take over his role and minutes.
Ryan Dunn is another popular add, likely due to the Suns’ five-game week. However, he’s not a long-term hold for 12-team leagues. Use him for the extra games this week, but be prepared to move on quickly.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is seeing increased opportunities with Paul George out, making him a solid short-term add. Naji Marshall has also been playing well and is worth considering, despite a recent poor shooting night.
