After years of Stephen Curry and Shaun Livingston forming a consistent one-two punch at the point guard position in Golden State, 2019-20 served as a change for the Warriors.
Livingston’s retirement paired with Curry’s hand injury left the Warriors backcourt thin. Without Curry and Livingston, shooting guard Damion Lee alongside two rookies filled in for Golden State’s longstanding point guard duo.
During the Warriors’ 2019-20 campaign, Lee, Jordan Poole, Ky Bowman and Draymond Green handled point guard responsibilities for Steve Kerr. With a healthy squad in place, Lee and Green will shift to their primary position leaving Poole and Bowman as the only players behind Curry on the depth chart.
With two NBA sophomores filling out the second point guard unit, the Warriors could eye a new addition to the backcourt in the offseason. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the backup point guard position will be a priority for Golden State’s front office.
Via The Athletic:
Sources indicate that backup point guard will be one of the front office’s offseason roster priorities.
In the 2020 free agent pool, Fred VanVleet, Mike Conley and Goran Dragic headline the point guard group. When it comes to potential backup guards, Kris Dunn, Emmanuel Mudiay, Michael Carter-Williams and Austin Rivers could be possible options.
If the Warriors decide to add a point guard in the draft, LaMelo Ball, Killian Hayes, Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton, Charleston’s Grant Riller and San Diego State’s Malachi Flynn could fit behind Curry as they continue to develop early in their career.
While 22 teams are on display in Orlando, the Warriors can use their extended offseason to study the backup point guard market. Once the NBA Lottery takes place in August, the Warriors will have a better idea of where they can land a point guard in the draft.
With a depth spot behind Curry available, Poole and Bowman will have the chance to battle with a veteran free agent or a top-draft pick.
