Can the Warriors Bench Tip the Scales Next Season?
Unless anything unforeseen happens over the next month, the Golden State Warriors are set to enter the 2025-2026 season with an almost identical roster to last year’s. At least in terms of their core. Following the departure of Kevon Looney to the Pelicans, the team has also chosen not to re-sign a few bench players, such as Kevin Knox or Gary Payton II. With each of their centerpieces having reached at least 35 years old, the likes of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler can no longer carry the same load as five years ago. So can the slightly new-look Warriors get as much contribution from their bench as they did last year?
The bar has been set high for the “Dubs” to repeat their success. Last season, they finished the regular season with the third-highest scoring bench at 43.6 points per game, only behind the Grizzlies and Spurs. Jonathan Kuminga served as the top contributor of that unit, averaging 15.3 points in his 47 appearances. However, lots of uncertainty has surrounded his standing with the team during the summer, especially with Kuminga’s decreased role since Butler’s arrival. Though the young star will probably start the season with the Warriors, many suggest that an eventual split is only a matter of time.
This would mean that a bigger scoring responsibility will fall on either Moses Moody or Buddy Hield, whichever of them doesn’t start. Both are very good shooters, both are capable of leading the bench in this department, and both will get ample minutes. The balance between Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post will be worth monitoring during the season. The Warriors will probably start their notorious “small-ball lineup,” with Green at the five. Having TJD or Post on the floor changes the team’s offensive dynamic, with Jackson-Davis as a more traditional center and Post as a stretch-big. Based on the end of last season, Post will probably get more opportunities than TJD, though it’s difficult to predict now the extent of their involvement.
Golden State’s current guard situation presents an interesting point of discussion. As of the first week of September, only two pure guards are on the active roster: Curry and Brandin Podziemski. Granted that both Hield and Moody can fill in the shooting guard role, the Warriors are a little guard-thin. Bringing back familiar faces like Payton II, Pat Spencer, or De’Anthony Melton to fill out the roster is certainly possible and would give the Warriors some needed depth.
I still expect Golden State to make a few more roster moves before October 21st, the NBA’s tipoff night. While this topic will be worth revisiting in a month’s time, I doubt any major changes will occur. Given their current circumstances, I’d expect this Warriors bench to take a slight step back. However, this versatile group is still poised to have another great season, especially with the younger non-starters having another year of experience under their belt. They might not claim a spot in the league’s top-tier benches, but they will certainly do well with the guidance of head coach Steve Kerr.
