Former Warriors Player Argues the Team Can Contend in the Upcoming NBA Season

After a season of being sidelined, Golden State Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will return to action in the upcoming season. Since they also have the #2 overall pick, the Warriors have been regarded as one of the more serious contenders for the championship next year. But former player Richard Jefferson disagrees with this notion.

“They are the best backcourt and they are going to be the best backcourt until they probably retire,” Jefferson said on ESPN.

“But this is the issue about next season. Steph hasn’t played much basketball in the last year. Klay has missed an entire season of basketball. They aren’t even going to the minicamps. I know these guys are going to be in shape, I know these guys are going to be tough. But there is something about being 30 years old and missing an entire season of basketball.”

Thompson injured his ACL during the NBA Finals in 2019 and hasn’t played since. Curry started the season, but then suffered a hand injury and was sidelined after that. So they have both had significant time away from the action.

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Following season could be ring season for Golden State Warriors

While it is hard to disregard the duo of Curry and Thompson, Jefferson’s points make sense. Although they needed that rest after repeated and exhausting championship runs, not playing a whole season is definitely going to affect them. They will still be one of the best backcourts, but their conditioning will not be the best to win a title.

But they are bound to be one of the best in the following season. “So I don’t think next season will be their Revenge Tour,” Jefferson concluded. “It will be the following season when they have their legs back under them, they kind of in more of a rhythm. That’s when I think they can really start taking names and kicking butts.”

Initially, there were rumors that the Warriors would trade their pick for an established player. But those reports have died down, and an exciting prospect like James Wiseman or Deni Avdija could be on their way to the Warriors. So if they get one season to settle down, they will be major contributors in the following season.

But one cannot be surprised if the Warriors turn out to be one of the best teams in the West. They have the firepower to do so, and they will be an exciting team to watch.

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