Warriors Facing Early Season Injury Issues That Could Hurt Them Long Term

The Golden State Warriors need to have some injury luck this season. They are going to roll out one of the oldest rosters in the NBA next season, and keeping those players healthy will be crucial to their chances of contending for another title. 

Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Al Horford are all on the wrong side of their physical prime. However, the Warriors’ roster might be too reliant on these veterans playing a lot and leading the way. 

If young guys like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski can step up, this might not be as much of an issue. Those young guys have the potential to step into vital and significant roles, especially during the regular season, to help lighten the load on the Warriors’ veterans. 

Unfortunately, the Warriors are already facing some injury issues. Jimmy Butler had an ankle tweak that’s kept him out of a couple of preseason games. Moses Moody is dealing with calf issues, which Steve Kerr recently revealed will keep him out of the opening-night lineup this Tuesday.

De’Anthony Melton will also be on the bench for the Warriors' opener. Seth Curry won’t be able to start the season on the Warriors’ roster. This means the Warriors are extremely thin at the shooting guard position to start the season. Luckily for them, that’s the most crowded position on their roster. 

While Melton and Moody recover, Buddy Hield can take on a heavier load. Rookie Will Richards also showed some promise in his preseason debut. 

The Warriors can also shift Jimmy Butler to the two and go ultra big with Kuminga, Green, and Al Horford in the frontcourt. 

So, while the Warriors’ injury report isn’t looking perfect early, they should be able to adjust. Flexibility in the face of minor injuries may be a big theme for this season.