SAN FRANCISCO — Each basic supervisor Mike Dunleavy and head coach Steve Kerr look like in lockstep of their need to see what this present Warriors group can do in January earlier than specializing in potential massive splashes.
In the course of the Warriors’ most up-to-date recreation towards the Philadelphia 76ers, TNT reporter Jared Greenberg reported on the published that Warriors basic supervisor Mike Dunleavy needs to spend the following couple weeks evaluating the group earlier than making “reactionary decisions.”
On the identical evening, Jimmy Butler requested a commerce out of Miami. The Warmth suspended him seven video games for conduct detrimental to the group and are open to listening to commerce provides.
The Butler market, then, may materialize rapidly. As in, throughout the time Dunleavy needs to be taking inventory of his group reasonably than making commerce proposals.
Requested concerning the report beginning Dunleavy’s wait-and-see strategy, head coach Steve Kerr stated he has talked to the overall supervisor concerning the matter.
“I think that makes perfect sense,” Kerr stated.
After beating Philadelphia, the Warriors improved to 17-16. They began the season 12-3, driving sizzling capturing and tenacious protection earlier than De’Anthony Melton tore his ACL. In the course of the Warriors’ 3-12 slide, they flipped Melton for Dennis Schroder.
Which may be the one transaction the group makes in the interim.
“We’ve been up and down this year, but we like the group,” Kerr stated. “We like the people we have. We really want to see how we play over the next month. And then just, you know, keep our options open.”
Warriors energy brokers have lengthy said the need to maximise Steph Curry’s championship window. The clearest means to try this is by getting him fast assist in the form of a star sidekick earlier than the Feb. 6 commerce deadline.
Though Jonathan Kuminga has blossomed over the previous two weeks right into a nightly pressure, he’s nonetheless solely 22 and received’t be in his prime for a number of extra years.
“Obviously, we’re a game above .500, so we’re not in a position to say, ‘Hey, we’re good enough, let’s stand firm,’ ” Kerr stated. “We have to assess all the options. Players know that. They understand how this league works. For me, it’s let’s see what we can do these next few weeks. Hopefully, we settle into this rotation, start shooting the ball better. I think with Dennis (Schroder) in the mix now, we have a chance to really be a great defensive team again like we were earlier in the year.
“If we can put it together, we may not need to do anything. But we definitely need to take this next month and really see what we have.”
Kerr’s feedback got here earlier than Golden State’s Saturday evening matchup towards the Grizzlies at Chase Middle. Neither group was close to full power.
Curry (bilateral knee tendinitis; damage administration) and Ja Morant are out, eradicating the headlining level guard matchup from the equation. The Warriors are additionally nonetheless with out Brandin Podziemski (stomach tightness) and Gary Payton II (calf pressure); Payton obtained cleared for particular person on-court exercises and can be re-evaluated subsequent week.
Past Morant, Grizzlies function gamers Marcus Sensible, Santi Aldama and GG Jackson have been additionally sidelined.
Saturday was Curry’s seventh missed recreation of the season. He had an ankle sprain earlier within the yr earlier than his knee points popped up; he hasn’t performed each legs of any back-to-backs since that ailment.
Gamers should play 65 video games to be eligible for end-of-season awards like MVP and All-NBA, which means Curry can solely miss 10 extra video games on the season for such honors.
Initially Revealed: January 4, 2025 at 5:14 PM PST
