The Golden State Warriors have been the talk of the town, but not because they went all-in on Paul George during the offseason. In fact, some might say their failure to land the nine-time All-Star was a blessing in disguise. The pursuit of George was no secret; he himself hinted on his podcast that a deal was “close” before it crumbled. Golden State’s patience in holding back from making a trade for George may have been the smartest decision they could have made.
Why Golden State’s Patience Might Be Their Championship Secret
But let’s face it—did the Warriors dodge a bullet? According to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, Golden State wasn’t willing to sacrifice their top assets for a potential sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers were reportedly willing to deal, but only if they got something substantial in return. Talks centered around Paul George opting into the final year of his hefty $48.7 million contract, with the Clippers asking for Andrew Wiggins and either Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski. While Kuminga was never seriously part of the negotiations, the offer still raised eyebrows.
Had the Warriors pulled the trigger, it could’ve set the stage for a significant shake-up. But here’s the kicker—Golden State is sitting pretty at 7-1, fresh off a hard-fought 118-112 victory against the Boston Celtics. Perhaps the Warriors knew something we didn’t. Instead of risking their championship future, they doubled down on the core of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, building solid depth around them.
Yet, the story isn’t without its bumps. Kuminga, who was expected to break out, is still finding his footing, averaging 13.1 points but struggling with efficiency. Podziemski, too, has been less than impressive with a shooting percentage of 37.8%, and his three-point shooting is even worse at 18.2%.
Despite these hiccups, the Warriors have found unexpected heroes. Buddy Hield is on fire, hitting 50.7% from three-point range—though that may not last. Kyle Anderson continues to fill up the stat sheet, and Wiggins? He’s back to being the two-way player who was instrumental in the Warriors’ 2021-22 championship run. The depth is paying off, even without the splashy move for George.
Meanwhile, George’s situation with the Philadelphia 76ers is anything but smooth. He missed the first five games and might need a rigorous resting regimen to stay healthy throughout the season. His injuries are a real concern, and that’s the elephant in the room.
Could the Warriors eventually stumble? Maybe. But for now, their cautious approach this summer looks like a masterstroke. Sometimes, less is more.
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