u/noguerra

What do you guys think the Warriors’ young players will do this season. Here are my projections:

Podz: He’s gonna breakout this season. Every year he’s gotten better, with both higher usage and higher efficiency. He’s on the cusp of being a real game changer. Last season he averaged 14-5-4 on league-average efficiency (58% TS) and 20% usage. If he ups that to 16-6-5 with slightly better usage and efficiency — which he’s done every year — then he’s one of the league’s better 3rd options. And I project 18 points per game for Podz.

Gui: Another player who has gotten better every year. Last year he averaged 9-4-2 on 61% true shooting (league average was 58%), and he did that in only 20mpg. The real obstacle he’s facing this season is the addition of Yaxel in his same position. I’m personally hoping that Dray and plays a lot less and some of those minutes go to Gui. But I project he’ll play similar minutes to last season (20mpg) but will increase his usage slightly without a decline is his efficiency. Let’s call it 11-5-2 in the same 20mpg.

Yaxel: It’s hard to predict how he’ll do without seeing any NBA action, but all the reports out of camp have been positive and his summer league was great. I don’t think he’ll be a big scorer right out of the gate, but I think he’ll fill up the box score everywhere else. I see him this season at 10-8-5 with 2.5 stocks per game. I worry a bit about his defense, but if he can be an off-ball disrupter, then I think he can stay on the court.

Will: I’m lowest on Will. I don’t see a lot of room for him in the rotation. He played 20mpg last season, but I expect that will be down to around 15mpg this year. Hopefully the three will fall (he was at 33.5% last year) and his POA defense will improve. If we can get a good season out of him, then it’s a pure bonus. He was the 56th pick, and most guys that late in the draft don’t make it in the league. More than anything, I’m hoping he can establish himself and a clear rotation player, even if he’s deep in the rotation. I’m a little skeptical, but I’m hoping to be surprised.

What do you guys think we’ll see from the young guys this season?

I feel like Stribling should be ranked higher among rookie WRs. He’s probably in the best situation of all of them. The only WR ahead of him on the Niners is 33 years old and already nicked up. Shanahan’s offense is elite, and he’s also already shown great chemistry with Purdy in the preseason.

Tate is the better talent, but he’s on a bad offense with a struggling QB. Plus he and Ward have shown zero ability to connect so far.

Tyson is behind Olave on the depth chart and is already injured. Lemons is behind Devonta. Concepcion and Boston are competing with each other for targets and are in probably the worst QB situation in the league.

Shouldn’t Stribling be ranked higher?

This team has a franchise legend still playing at an All-NBA level. It has $75M in expiring money to use as matching salary. It has all of its picks and the Summer League MVP to throw in with that matching salary.

And they did nothing. Not a medium move. Not even a small move. NOTHING.

The cowardice and incompetence of this front office is astounding. Thirty-seven wins and they’re going to run it back.

Steph deserves better.

ETA: This post is really bringing out the front-office boot lickers. To all the people complaining about how many similar posts have been made…real fans are MAD bro. Why aren’t you?

Nah, I’m just fucking with you. That’s a terrible idea.

But if this front office wastes the last years of Steph’s career, they all need to go. Throw all the bums out. We have a top 10 player in the league, $69M in dead money (Jimmy and Moody), and all of our picks. That is not the time to sit on your hands. And if MDJ can’t figure out a way to make a competitor with all of that ammunition, then it’s time to bring in someone who can.

Steph deserves better.