Why ESPN analyst gave Warriors excellent offseason grade

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Joe Lacob, Bob Myers and Co. weren't going to let this happen again. After missing the playoffs two seasons in a row, a third was unacceptable. 

The Warriors were on a mission this offseason, and ESPN's Kevin Pelton believes it was mission accomplished for Golden State. Pelton gave the Warriors an A-minus offseason grade, which is tied for the highest in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Clippers. 

The Los Angeles Lakers received a C. 

"Despite pocketing their taxpayer midlevel exception, the Warriors managed to upgrade their bench by adding veterans Nemanja Bjelica, Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr., all signed for the veterans minimum," Pelton wrote. "Golden State also will benefit from getting Klay Thompson back after two seasons lost to ACL and Achilles tendon injuries, though the Warriors don't get any credit for that here.

"In the long run, Golden State's pair of lottery picks will have more impact on the team's outlook. I liked both Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody where they were drafted, No. 7 and No. 14, respectively."

So, that's Bjelica, Iguodala and Porter Jr. as veterans, as well as lottery picks in Kuminga and Moody. Plus, an eventual healthy Thompson. Add in a motivated Draymond Green, and Steph Curry coming off perhaps the best season of his career. This doesn't even include the development of James Wiseman.

Yeah, that's a strong roster. 

RELATED: Warriors experts pick where Dubs' roster ranks in West

The Warriors can't be placed at the top of the West as a whole quite yet. The West still is stacked with talent and championship contenders. If all goes right, though, Golden State has to be up there. 

There are no excuses this year. This squad still has a championship window, though one that is shrinking. The offseason was a great start, now they have to turn paper potential into wins in the standings once the season kicks off in October.

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