Teams that have perennial All-Stars and a franchise face like Steph Curry don’t usually take the route of gaining draft lottery picks. Tanking, even though it faces acute scrutiny in the current NBA world, has been a strategy employed by bottom feeders in the standings. However, this time the Warriors have also entered that race, sparking several questions.
As per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Anthony Slater, the Warriors’ fate resembles something that happened in the 2015 NBA draft. After a decorated career of almost two decades, Kobe Bryant faced late-career struggles, and the team’s performance suffered severely. After the 2014-15 regular season, they finished in 14th place in the Western Conference and received the No. 2 overall pick.
The ESPN analysts stated in the article:
“Lottery luck isn’t typically the plotted path for a team in its contention window. It’s preserved for those in the growth stages of a rebuild. But that is the Warriors’ current reality. In the late stages of Curry’s career, they are in the construction zone, rebuilding while employing a franchise legend. One league source compared it to Kobe Bryant’s final seasons with the Lakers.”
The Lakers drafted D’Angelo Russell with that No. 2 pick, which did not turn out as expected. Things remained the same next season for the Lakers. Like the 5-time NBA champion, the Warriors still have the services of the 4-time NBA champion and the best shooter, who is worth $62.6 million for next season.
However, after the team’s play-ins exit, the Warriors have entered the run for a lottery pick, which means a chance to acquire one of the top four picks. They have 2% odds for now.
“We’ll figure it out,” Steph Curry keeps the door open for 2028 LA Olympics
In a recent conversation with The Washington Post, Steph Curry responded to the idea of featuring once again on the 2028 LA Olympics USA basketball squad. He said:
“We’ll figure it out when the time comes, for sure.”
Earlier, while talking on LeBron James’ Mind The Game podcast, the elite point guard said that it’s highly unlikely. He said:
“Never say never, but I highly doubt it.”
Nobody knows how long that storied career will go on, but fans wait with bated breath to watch Steph Curry in action every season. Only time will tell if he has enough gas for another title. For the Warriors, this season is over!
