After hoisting their fourth Larry O’Brien Trophy in eight seasons this past June, the Warriors reestablished their claim as NBA royalty with veteran Steph Curry leading the charge.
But can the organization sustain that success for years to come?
ESPN’s latest Future Power Rankings certainly think so, predicting an even brighter future for Golden State than originally was forecast in March.
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When the last version of the rankings was released seven months ago, the Warriors were ranked No. 9.
But after winning the 2022 NBA Finals and extending star players Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins, Golden State now ranks No. 4 behind the No. 3 Boston Celtics, No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers and No. 1 Memphis Grizzlies.
The rankings are a projection of each NBA team’s on-court success expected over the next three seasons -- 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 -- based on the opinions of four ESPN analysts: Bobby Marks, Kevin Pelton, Andre Snellings and Tim Bontemps.
In assessing the Warriors’ future, Marks noted Wiggins and Poole’s long-term contract extensions, along with Curry’s new deal inked in August 2021, lock in stellar talent for years to come.
Golden State Warriors
Plus, the team's crop of young talent in former lottery picks James Wiseman, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga are expected to develop into dependable rotational pieces.
But that isn't to say Golden State doesn’t have its fair share of things to address in the coming months.
“The big question looming over the organization next offseason is the future of Draymond Green,” Marks wrote.
After the Warriors chose not to extend Green prior to the start of the regular season, the former Defensive Player of the Year will play out the rest of his 2022-23 campaign on a contract that pays him $25.8 million with a $27.5 million player option for the 2023-24 season.
And with the team’s contracts that are already on the books, Golden State could be on the hook for over $500 million in salary and tax penalties next season if Green returns.
So when it comes to the future of the franchise, there’s actually quite a bit hinging on Green’s decision.
Still, ESPN predicts the Warriors have plenty to look forward to.
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The team received an overall score of 87.5 in the outlet’s Future Power Rankings -- a combination of scores for players (72 score, No. 7 rank), management (87, tied for No. 3), money (16, No. 29), market (83, No. 5) and draft (35, tied for No. 19).
Rankings aside, Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, general manager Bob Myers and coach Steve Kerr have built a valuable dynasty that has persisted through the 2010s and into the new decade.
And as it looks to the future, the organization is known by one ranking this season: Defending NBA champions.