What Next for the Golden State Warriors After Klay Thompson’s Season Ending Injury?

The Golden State Warriors’ star Klay Thompson was on his way to return to the team months after he tore his ACL in his left knee. Thompson looked good in the practice sessions and looked like he might be back.

Yesterday, the Warriors confirmed that Thompson had injured himself, but they were optimistic of the star’s return before the end of the season. ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski has confirmed that Klay Thompson has indeed suffered a season-ending Achilles tear.

This leaves a huge dent in the team’s title hopes. The team was looking forward to the start of the season. With their big three of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson touted to return, the Dubs were considered as one of the contenders for the title. In the absence of an enormous star like Thompson, they aren’t as strong as contenders anymore.

The comeback that could have happened for Klay Thompson

The big three of Draymond Green, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have been one of the most dominant trios ever. The 2020-21 season was expected to be the comeback year for them.

Having injured himself in Game 6 of 2018-19 NBA Finals, Thompson was finally on his way back. The extended NBA season allowed him time to recover. Reports from the Warriors’ post season camp said that he looked fine and happy while playing 5 on 5. Another injury will surely be tough on him mentally and physically. If the reports are true, he will miss an entire season and that means a significant two-year gap. The Splash brothers will be incomplete without him.

The injury to Thompson just decreases the Championship window the Dubs would have had with the big three. With Draymond Green already showing signs of slowing down and with the uncertainty that looms over Thompson, the Warriors might need to add another star to Steph Curry to be contenders again.

What’s next for the Warriors?

With the offensive output from Thompson missing, the Warriors may not be contenders for the title but can still stay competitive by bringing in some perimeter players into the roster.

The Dubs can bring former player and the 2015 NBA champion Justin Holiday. The 31-year-old is a great perimeter shooter averaging 40% from the 3-point line. He has also become a great defender in these years. Holiday will be a cheaper option and the team can go and add another other perimeter shooter like Davis Bertans from the free agency.

The roster will be willing to take their chances with younger players like Eric Paschall and Jordan Poole. Paschall is a great two-way player and can be explosive while attacking the ring and can help the Warriors’ defense.

With the Warriors star man missing the entire season, the team will find it very tough to compete. It will be intriguing to see how they approach the season.