It's a “new dawn” for the Golden State Warriors, according to team president and general manager Bob Myers.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Myers emphasized that the team will now focus on player development as they enter a new era in Golden State basketball.
‘It’s a new dawn for us.’ Myers, acknowledging the rebuilding of the Warriors is under way. Coaching staff, he says, will focus on player development.
— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) July 15, 2019
It's a puzzling idea as Myers previously acknowledged on Monday that he believes, despite the upgrades in the Western Conference, the Warriors can still compete.
Golden State lost Kevin Durant in free agency this summer, while Klay Thompson is expected to be out for the whole 2019-20 campaign due to his ACL injury. The team re-signed the sidelined Thompson to a five-year max deal totaling $190 million, but the roster is much different than the team that reached the NBA Finals in five straight years and won the title three times.
The Warriors acquired 23-year-old guard D'Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets. They also brought in Omari Spellman, a second-year power forward from Villanova, in a deal that sent former draft pick Damian Jones and a second-rounder to the Atlanta Hawks.
Bench sparkplugs and veterans Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston will be in new places next season too. The Warriors had to trade Iguodala and waive Livingston, both three-time champs with the franchise, to accommodate the max salaries of Thompson and Russell.
Golden State's rookies entering the upcoming season include 6-foot-5 guard Jordan Poole, selected with the 28th overall pick, and second-round selections Alen Smailagic and Eric Paschall.
Despite the promise to compete for another ring in 2020, Myers and the Warriors — including head coach Steve Kerr — will also have to lean into developing the three rookies and continuing the progress of one-time All-Star Russell.
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