Golden State Warriors
Team Outlook-
At least one article called the Golden State Warriors starting lineup the “Death Lineup,” so pretty much that tells you all you need to know. It’s almost not hyperbole. The team, which lost in the finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers after winning the title themselves the year prior, decided that they would take no chances in 2016-17 and added Kevin Durant to their already ridiculous lineup.
Golden State broke more than twenty-five NBA records including best regular season record, most wins combined in regular and post-season and best start with 24 straight wins.
Projected Starting Lineup
Point Guard- Stephen Curry
Curry comes off a season where he won his second MVP award, shot 50.4 percent from the field, 45.4 from 3-point range. He tallied up a ridiculous 402 threes last season, something that was unlikely to happen even before Kevin Durant landed in town and the thing to remember about Curry is that most of his numbers are probably going to drop. That still leaves a fantastic player, one who will put up excellent fantasy points every game but also be one of the most highly-owned players in any format. If you’re going to try and go against the grain, you may not use Curry all that much.
Shooting Guard- Klay Thompson
As with Stephen Curry, Thompson had an unreal amount of 3-point shots in 2015-16 (276), which will not be repeated in 2016-17. More than anyone else on the floor, though, Thompson may see the biggest drop as the ball is spread among Curry, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green. He’ll still have some high-scoring games, but they may be spaced out and harder to predict. Thompson wants to get to the free throw line more and get more rebounds, which could make up for less scoring. Still, Thompson will be a less prolific DFS player this year and less consistent as well.
Small Forward- Kevin Durant
While Stephen Curry will still be the lead dog in the pack, Durant is a close second. It’s hard to exactly predict how Durant’s numbers (28.2 ppg, 8.2 RPG, 5.0 APG last season) will be impacted by the deep roster around him. Will they take a hit because he won’t get the ball as often, or will they stay solid because you can’t just focus on him? We’re better the latter, as the tempo, player movement and ball movement is going to create space for him to really work in. Durant could find himself a lot of open shots this year and will be a prolific DFS player. Unfortunately, just like Curry, Durant is going to be heavily owned in both Tournaments and Cash games.
Power Forward- Draymond Green
Green is a tough, high-energy player who is nasty as a defender and will make things very tough for opposing players again this season. Green is a complete player, someone who will put up baskets, assists, rebounds and steals in large amounts this season. His ability to feed other players is going to get heavily used as he dishes to both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant even though Durant made his own plays last season. While some might think that means Green will see fewer assists, the way Golden State moves the ball and their players around makes it likely Green will have more to do. Durant is going to have to do less heavy lifting to set up his own shots and Green’s assist numbers will benefit.
Center- Zaza Pachulia
The Warriors lost both Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli this offseason, but Pachulia isn’t exactly chopped liver. While he isn’t as good at protecting the rim, he averaged 9.4 rebounds per game for the Dallas Mavericks last season. He’s a decent shooter as well, hitting 46.6 percent from the field and averaging 8.6 points per game. His chief role will be rebounding and defending, though. Pachulia will probably be the only Warriors starter lightly owned in DFS leagues this year.
Key Bench Players
Shaun Livingston
Livingston has good size and agility, allowing him to both plays on and off the ball for the Warriors. He won’t be dropping bombs from beyond the arc, but shot 53.6 percent from the field last year and should be productive coming off the bench.
Andre Iguodala
One of the best six men in the NBA, Iguodala is an explosive scorer who can also be a disruptive force on defense. He won’t see nearly as much time and opportunity as he did last season now that Kevin Durant is in town, but he can still be productive and is likely to be a very good play when Golden State coach Steve Kerr thinks the veteran forward needs a night off.
Ian Clark
Clark seems like he will be in the mix at guard, though like anyone else not named Thompson or Curry his chances to have an impact will be limited. He can hit from long range though and has improved as a ball-handler. Clark was deep on the bench last year but now he is another player who could have a role in DFS on the nights when the main guys get rested.
Anderson Varejao
Varejao was let go in Cleveland prior to last season but had very little impact when he landed with Golden State. He was limited this offseason with a back injury and his skillset isn’t terribly exciting. That said, Pachulia isn’t exactly Hall of Fame material, and if he struggles Varejao will get the first crack at filling his shoes.
Damian Jones
Jones could very easily push Anderson Varejao for the backup center job, but he’s been dealing with a pectoral injury and it could keep him sidelined into the early portion of the season. When he does take the floor, the former Vanderbilt big man has good mobility and explosiveness for a guy his size who can shoot well and finish hard at the rim. He’s someone to keep an eye on because neither center in front of him is above reproach and he could end up getting lots of minutes in the second half of the season.
Key Offseason Acquisitions
Kevin Durant, David West, Zaza Pachulia
West is an aging player who is more bench depth than anything else, and Pachulia is a solid center who can hold the position for now, but the crown jewel is Durant. Adding him to this group should have been illegal but since it wasn’t, he makes this offense seem unstoppable.
Key Offseason Departures
Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli
Bogut is the bigger loss since he was a much better center than what the Warriors have now. He’s a great addition for the Dallas Mavericks and a significant loss for the Warriors.