The Golden State Warriors have been dominating the NBA for the past decade, but their reign near the top is on its last leg.
Over the past few years, the Warriors have struggled to find the same magic that led to their 2022 NBA title. However, it appeared that things might have turned back in the Warriors’ favor at the trade deadline, acquiring Jimmy Butler to pair with Stephen Curry.
After the Warriors’ championship Big 3 was broken up with Klay Thompson’s departure last offseason, Butler joined forces with Curry and Draymond Green to form another Big 3 capable of title contention. Through the final two months of the regular season, Golden State was one of the league’s best teams.
While the Warriors still had to fight through the play-in, they upset the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets in the first round before Curry’s season-ending injury derailed their hopes in the second round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite being one of the best squads when healthy, the Warriors’ Big 3 didn’t do enough to impress Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz, who placed Golden State’s trio outside of his top five.
While Swartz noted that the team went 22-5 when Curry and Butler both played, he explained that their age was a concern. Noting their average age of 36 years, Swartz essentially explained that despite their immense experience and postseason success, Curry, Butler and Green simply might not have what it takes to have a complete season together.
Assuming health and that each player can continue to play around the same level next season, Golden State’s trio should have no issues being one of the five best in the league, even if Swartz has some worries.
