The Golden State Warriors need some of their developmental players to blossom. And where some are writing them off, one analyst is showing faith.
After Stephen Curry suffered an injury during the Western Conference semifinals, the Golden State Warriors collapsed.
This invited plenty of scrutiny on the rest of their roster, which remains heading into 2025-26. To date the Warriors have not strengthened, and have lost Kevon Looney in free agency.
This past week former NBA player Baron Davis criticized a lack of depth on the roster, while Warriors fans questioned why some of their younger players were not playing at Summer League.
During a discussion on ESPN’s First Take about basketball culture, Kendrick Perkins says he still retains faith in the Golden State Warriors to develop their younger players.
He cited two second round draft picks in recent years, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr is on record praising Post’s development in particular, and believes both players have performed ‘above expectations’ to date.
Perkins believes the Warriors need to look at NBA Finalists the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, for evidence of how a strong organization can develop young players, without having to rely on big name signings.
In a debate over the best team in California, Perkins said: “You ever heard of the term player development? Right?
“When you look at a guy like Quinten Post or a guy like Jackson-Davis, Oklahoma City Thunder showed us and the Indiana Pacers showed us how crucial it is for player development.”
He cited Jaylin Williams as an example of a player who proved vital in the Thunder’s title run.
“Did you know who Jaylin Williams was before, and I’m not talking about J-Dub (Jalen Williams). Did the world know?”
Perkins says he has the most confidence in the Golden State Warriors right now, compared to both the LA Clippers and LA Lakers, while also taking a little dig at LeBron James’ mixed messages.
He explained: “One team in California that has culture, that has foundation, that has stability and that has a reliable superstar that’s not disgruntled, and that’s the Golden State Warriors.
“No drama from the Golden State Warriors right now. Obviously, they’re dealing with Jonathan Kuminga and what they’re going to do, but when it comes down to their big three, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. I trust them more for those guys leading the way than any other team that’s in the state of California.
“And that includes the Lakers, alongside the Clippers.”
Both the Clippers and Lakers made the playoffs last season via the top six seedings, but both suffered first round eliminations. The Warriors had to go through the Play-In, but knocked off second-seed Houston Rockets.
