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.
Steph Curry Fires Back: Warriors’ Future and the Quest for Improvement
Olympic athlete and NBA All-star Steph Curry is a Charlotte native. | Photo by CLTtoday
The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a crossroads, sitting at a 20-20 record and facing mounting pressure from fans and media alike. However, Stephen Curry is not ready to throw in the towel just yet. In a recent statement, Curry addressed the swirling narratives surrounding the team, emphasizing that anyone who thinks he’s content with mediocrity is “insane.”
Curry’s comments come as a response to the growing chorus of voices calling for drastic changes to the Warriors’ roster. While acknowledging the team’s current struggles, Curry remains steadfast in his belief that the Warriors can improve without resorting to reckless moves. He stressed the importance of making appropriate decisions to help the team progress, all while maintaining a level-headed approach to potential trades.
The Wiggins Factor
One bright spot for the Warriors has been the recent play of Andrew Wiggins. When Wiggins attempts 15 or more shots per game, the Warriors have found success. In 12 such games this season, Wiggins has shot an impressive 60% from the floor, averaging 22.2 points per game. The challenge now lies in consistently unlocking this aggressive version of Wiggins, who has shown flashes of his number one overall pick potential throughout his career.
Looking Ahead
As the trade deadline approaches, the Warriors face tough decisions regarding their roster construction. While some fans clamor for big moves, the front office must weigh the potential benefits against the risks of disrupting team chemistry. The Warriors possess a wealth of future draft picks, which could be valuable assets in potential trades. However, the financial implications and long-term vision for the team must also be considered.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Warriors’ current situation, tune into the Locked On Warriors podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Warriors Podcast:
• Jonathan Kuminga’s trade value and future with the team
• Potential trade targets for the Warriors
• Gui Santos’ impressive debut as a starter and his future role
Jan 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. | Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the rest of the NBA season could just be various instances spent listening to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go WOOOO to varying decibels and degrees of excitement? It would be, to borrow from a master gone too soon, Lynchian.
If not that, then to watch the Thunder and Cavaliers play each other, over and over, until April 13th. I suspect we still wouldn’t have our fill of these two teams but don’t fret, we’d have a riveting seven game series. Each game a competitive and tight feast for the eyes.
To really get an understanding of how, though relentless pressuring and seamless switching, the Thunder have run away with the first overall defensive rating. That even against a team like Cleveland who pride themselves on the way they’re able to take care of the ball, and their communication skills, OKC can pluck the ball out of the hands of an opponent on a fastbreak, a drive, as if they were walking right up to a kid and taking candy from their hands.
Of course, this all makes it sound like watching these two teams in perpetuity is going to look heavily lopsided for the Thunder. The matchup last night was a wallop for the West, for sure, but Cleveland showed why they’ve been coolly leading the East and the entire league. Rainbow threes from Mitchell, light lobs over the heads of every Thunder player — just then upturned to watch — between Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, and fadeaway shots from the corner care of Max Strus.
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
Replay The NBA’s last 2-minute report confirmed that several crucial non-calls went against the Warriors in their game against the Timberwolves. These missed calls impacted the game’s outcome. (Golden State of Mind)
Feel Good Golden State Warriors players showed overwhelming support for Andrew Wiggins following his recent Instagram post, reflecting the team’s strong camaraderie and unity. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor The Golden State Warriors are reportedly reluctant to trade one of their star players, signaling their intention to maintain their current roster core. (Sports Illustrated)
Ranking Despite recent challenges, the Golden State Warriors remain competitive in the latest NBA power rankings, showcasing their resilience and determination to stay at the top. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Basketball News Roundup: The Tanking In Utah
Jan 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale/Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers are taking tanking to a whole new level. The Jazz have been sitting players like John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler for various reasons. While I understand the incentives for tanking, the odds of getting the number one pick are not high. The NBA has been cracking down on teams resting healthy players, but these two franchises seem to be pushing the boundaries.
As a fantasy analyst, I’ve been advising people to avoid high picks from these teams due to the risk of shutdowns and reduced playing time. It’s frustrating to see this level of blatant tanking, especially when it impacts fantasy basketball managers.
The Memphis Grizzlies are another team to watch, with Ja Morant constantly appearing on the injury report. While they’re not tanking like Utah and Portland, Morant’s frequent injuries are concerning for fantasy managers.
In other news, Donte DiVincenzo is out with a toe sprain for the Knicks, which could lead to increased minutes for Mike Conley. However, I wouldn’t rush to add Conley in most leagues.
