Examine how the Golden State Warriors’ rosters for the 2022 NBA Finals were assembled.
It is possible to build championship rosters in a variety of ways. Some teams are built organically through the draft and development of young players. Others are built around prize-free agents that elevate their chances of winning immediately. Those built on trades, on the other hand, find players who would not fit on other teams but prove to be the missing piece in a championship.
Draft – From 2009-to 12, the Warriors drafted Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green as the “Big Three” of the NBA. As a result of three well-used picks, the Warriors acquired Curry and Thompson, one of the best shooting duos in the history of the NBA, and Green, a unique playmaker/defensive guru. They will play in their sixth NBA Finals together and have uncanny chemistry.
After winning their first championship, the Warriors acquired Kevon Looney in the 2015 draft. Although he struggled with injuries early in his career, Looney has established himself as a key role player for the Warriors, including a few career-best performances this postseason.
Warriors have always had some young talent to complement their veteran core. Still, they have added players like Jordan Poole (2019), James Wiseman (2020, injured), Jonathan Kuminga (2021), and Moses Moody (2021) in recent years.
Trade- Following Kevin Durant’s decision to leave the Warriors in free agency following the NBA Finals, Golden State traded for D’Angelo Russell from Brooklyn. Russell proved unsuitable for the Warriors, so Golden State traded him to Minnesota for Andrew Wiggins and a future first-round pick. Wiggins, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, has flourished since joining the Warriors. He earned his first All-Star selection in 2022.
Free Agency – Having won the Finals MVP in 2015, Andre Iguodala signed with the Warriors last summer to start his second run with the team. In July 2013, the Warriors acquired Iguodala in a three-team trade, he signed a multi-year contract in July 2017, and in July 2019, he was traded to Memphis. Currently, there is no word on Iguodala’s status for the Finals, as he has not played since Game 4 of Golden State’s first-round series against Denver due to a neck injury.
Nemanja Bjelica: Signed with Golden State on Aug. 6, 2021.
Otto Porter Jr.: Signed with Golden State on Aug. 6, 2021.
Gary Payton II: Signed with Golden State on Oct. 19, 2020
