Detroit Pistons vs. Golden State Warriors 2019-20 season preview

Recovering From Injury

The basketball world gained a glimpse into a Golden State Warriors team sans their core during their most recent playoff run. After not playing for the first four games of the Finals against the Raptors, Durant re-injured his Achilles in Game 5. This was soon followed by Thompson tearing his ACL in Game 6 of that same series.

Although the series was all but over by the time Thompson’s injury occurred, the Warrior’s 1-4 record in their games without Durant against the Raptors gave a good perspective for what the Warriors would need to address this offseason.

Following one of the offseason’s most talked about moves – Durant’s offseason decision to join Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn – Durant surprised everyone by opting for a sign-and-trade deal that brought Russell to the Bay Area instead of leaving his former team empty handed in the wake of his free agency decision.

With Thompson expected to be out until at least the All-Star break, Russell provides a strong placeholder for Thompson and becomes a potential trade asset following (or nearing) his return.

In order to make the Durant/Russell deal possible, the Warriors shipped forward All-Star Andre Iguodala to Memphis for two-way player Julian Washburn. After waiving Washburn, the Warriors were left shorthanded at the small-forward position.

With Alfonzo McKinnie expected to take over the starting role after coming off the bench last year, the Warriors signed former-Piston Glenn Robinson III to a one-year, $1.8 million contract. This is an interesting move considering Robinson’s shortcomings with the Pistons last season and exposes a point of potential vulnerability in the Warriors depth next season.

The Warriors also lost Cousins to the Lakers in free agency after his rehab stint with the team last season, leaving them lacking depth in the center position as well. The Warriors already have Kevon Looney to step into the five-spot, but after spending his first two seasons injured, the Warriors brought in Willie Cauley-Stein on a two year, $4.4 million contract, as well as bringing back Zaza Pachulia as a veteran presence.

In the draft, the Warriors took University of Michigan standout Jordan Poole 28th overall. With Thompson out, Poole has not only the roster space to step into early playing time, but he has the shooting ability to help make Thompson’s absence less of a concern. While it’s unlikely Poole will become a Thompson-caliber player in his first season, he is a solid pick who could serve an immediate function in the Warrior’s system.