The Golden State Warriors have a new look this season and are one win away from making the Western Conference semi-finals.
Klay Thompson leaving the Golden State Warriors in free agency in summer 2024 was an emotional moment, signalling the start of the break-up of the core of one of basketball’s most successful teams.
And with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green both struggling to lift the team, in December and January especially, the Warriors looked a spent force.
Curry warned the front office not to mortgage their future before the trade deadline, and it turned out they did not need to.
A smart trade for Jimmy Butler instantly re-energized the Warriors, with Draymond Green speaking about how the move turned the team’s season around.
Former Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies star Tony Allen has been impressed with the way the Golden State Warriors have played in this playoff series.
Speaking to Grind City Media, Allen admitted that for a long time thought the Warriors made a mistake allowing Klay Thompson to leave.
Now re-assessing the current make-up of the team, he pointed to two players he feels have now offset the exit of the four-time NBA champion.
Allen commended Brandin Podziemski and Jimmy Butler, confident the Warriors have now turned the ship around.
He explained: “I got a huge respect for him now [Podziemski, playing next to Jimmy Butler.
“I used to be in my feelings like damn ‘they should have never got rid of Klay’, and now I’m looking like, they OK.”
The Golden State Warriors began the season hot, before an injury to De’Anthony Melton knocked them completely off course.
The Jimmy Butler trade had a major impact, allowing them to turn their season around, eventually finishing in seventh, having been outside the top 10.
Last season the Warriors finished in 10th, and exited in the Play-In Tournament, amid a nightmare performance for Klay Thompson against the Sacramento Kings.
As great as Klay Thompson was, the Warriors now look stronger with an improved Brandin Podziemski and the tenacity of Jimmy Butler – even with trading away Andrew Wiggins too.
