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By Alex Kirschenbaum
Contributing Entertainment Writer
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After going 48-34 and winning a playoff series this spring for the first time in two years, the revamped Golden State Warriors face some big questions heading into their preseason.
The Warriors opened up their ceiling by trading to acquire future Hall of Famer Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat in a blockbuster trade deadline deal.
Now, Golden State has brought in more of a bubble future Hall of Famer, former five-time All-Star power forward/center Al Horford, as its top new free agent addition. Horford, 39, and Butler, 36, will join four-time champions Stephen Curry, 37, and Draymond Green, 35, to flesh out the Warriors' starting five.
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Although that fearsome foursome is fairly loaded (they've been named to a combined 26 All-Star teams and have each played in at least two NBA Finals apiece), the group is also remarkably old — and thus, a perpetual injury risk.
It's unclear who will serve as Golden State's fifth starter. New signing De'Anthony Melton had emerged as head coach Steve Kerr's choice to start in the backcourt next to Curry last year, but he tore his ACL six games into the 2024-25 season, and was traded away to the Brooklyn Nets for more win-now help.
More news: Warriors Interested in $163 Million All-Star in Potential Blockbuster Trade
Kerr experimented with a few options to replace Melton. Sharpshooter Buddy Hield was installed for a time, although his defensive issues put a cap on his upside next to Curry. After the deadline, second-year swingman Brandin Podziesmki assumed that starting two-guard role permanently.
Podziesmki, still just 22, has a legitimate shot to earn that starting two-guard spot once again within this reconfigured — and otherwise very old — lineup. Young gun Moses Moody and defense-first guard Gary Payton II could theoretically also earn a nod, or Kerr could shift Butler down to a shooting guard role and insert recently re-signed forward Jonathan Kuminga into the starting unit.
Will Podziesmki Round Out Warriors' First Five After Summer of Surgeries?
Bringing Podziesmki back into the fold as a starter right away may be a bit fraught, however, as he is on the mend from two summer procedures.
Per Anthony Slater of ESPN, Podziemski underwent a pair of surgeries during the offseason — on his core and wrist. The 6-foot-5 Santa Clara product returned to the hardwood on Aug. 1, and has been given "full clearance" (i.e. to take contact) at some point in September, Slater adds.
When he was healthy, Podziemski produced.
In 64 available contests for Golden State (33 starts), he averaged 11.7 points while slashing .445/.372/.758, plus 5.1 boards, 3.4 dimes, and 1.1 swipes a night.
He has a fairly balanced offensive game, and that 37.2 percent long range conversion rate is right in line with what Golden State will want out of his position. But will his health problems give Kerr pause?
More news: Warriors Roster Raising Major Red Flags in 2 Key Areas
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