The whispers of the Golden State Warriors dynasty fading began to surface after the 2019 finals. They had been so close to rewriting history when injuries to star players thwarted all those expectations. After that season, key star players had either left the team or were on the shelf due to injuries. Amid doubts surrounding the potential decline of the Warriors’ dynasty, the team opted to bring in promising players, leading to the signings of Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and James Wiseman, with a focus on developing young talent.

However, after two seasons of mediocrity, the 2021-2022 season breathed new life into the team as they unexpectedly clinched their fourth championship trophy that year. After this improbable title run, the development of young players took a backseat. This championship run was a reminder that the Warriors’ core had more potential to tap into. Now the question was how the ownership and front office would manage minutes within the team.

This is when owner Joe Lacob came up with the “bridge the gap,” also known as the “two-timeline” approach – meaning they could compete for a title with their superstars while simultaneously developing budding players. This move was heavily criticized by rival executives. One agent posed, “Can you remember one player that the Chicago Bulls developed in the mid-1990s that helped carry them when Michael Jordan was gone?”

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Several others criticized Joe Lacob’s decision-making, suggesting that his early success with the Warriors has made him complacent. “These rich dudes all think they have the magic touch. Most get humbled by losing early in their ownership tenure. Joe Lacob came in with the same attitude and then won everything for 10 years. So it’s understandable he thinks he can do no wrong,” stated one rival executive.

Joe Lacob will not let the Warriors tank

The critics proved to be right. The two-timeline approach hasn’t panned out as Joe Lacob envisioned. With the Warriors pushing for another title, the young stars were on the floor for only a handful of minutes. In the 2022–23 season, Kuminga ranked eighth in team minutes, while Moody was 12th. This also led to rumors about Steve Kerr being hesitant to play their young players.

But amid a season where we have witnessed Klay Thompson lose his step, Draymond Green‘s frequent suspensions, and Andrew Wiggins slump, Kerr had to turn to the bench. He started giving the young players, including Kuminga, Moody, and rookies Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis, a chance to prove their mettle. And the results have been promising. Therefore, the Warriors are currently aiming to integrate young talent into the lineup to maintain competitiveness and avoid a complete rebuild. “We’re never going to bottom out. I won’t settle for that. We’re not doing that,” stated Lacob.

The Warriors have been hovering in the last play-in spot since the start of the season, with a 27-26 record. Do you think they can push for a deep postseason run this season? Let us know in the comments!