The Golden State Warriors’ offseason grade has completely changed since Al Horford arrived in free agency.
The Warriors were the last NBA team to make a deal, but they added Seth Curry and De’Anthony Melton after Horford’s deal was confirmed.
Steve Kerr has a strong bench to rely on after re-signing Jonathan Kuminga, Pat Spencer and Gary Payton II this summer.
Golden State has already played three preseason games with two remaining, so Carr’s rotation for the regular season opener should be pretty much set.
However, the Warriors’ head coach declined to confirm whether one of his key players will be in the starting lineup next week.
Brandin Podzemski averaged about 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game in his first two seasons with the Warriors.
The 22-year-old is expected to make a leap in his third year with the team, likely increasing his offensive output to 15 PPG.
Podzemski started in the Warriors’ most recent preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 23 points and signaling he has earned a full-time spot in the starting lineup.
Steve Kerr praised the shooting guard in his postgame press conference, but did not say whether his role this season will be as starter or sixth man.
“It’s hard to say yet. We have to figure out where we are. Brandin is going to play a lot. He’s a very important player for us,” Kerr said.
“But frankly, given the age of Koma and Al, the starting lineup is a little difficult for us. If Al was a little younger, he definitely would have been in the starting lineup.”
“But if you’re only playing limited minutes, if you’re not playing as many minutes as you were a few years ago, it’s hard for him to start and finish games.
“So there’s still a lot to think about. But Brandin is going to be a big part for us in some way.”
The Golden State Warriors have three confirmed starters: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
Manager Steve Kerr likely wants to add Al Horford’s name to that list, but the 39-year-old will need to be managed carefully throughout the season.
If Horford doesn’t start, Trayce Jackson-Davis or Quinten Post could play in his place, or Green could play as a small-ball No. 5 with Jonathan Kuminga at No. 4.
Elsewhere, Moses Moody or Brandin Podzemski will compete for the vacant shooting guard position next to Curry.
It’s a good problem to have so many options, but Kerr will likely have his work cut out in the coming days to decide on his starting five and bench unit.