Some believe the Golden State Warriors' elimination from the NBA Playoffs was due to bad luck, following Stephen Curry's hamstring injury in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Warriors were fortunate to make the playoffs, as it took a 23-7 run once acquiring Jimmy Butler to even qualify for the NBA Play-In Tournament.
It was speculated that Curry could've returned if the Warriors could've extended the series to six games, but they dropped the next four and were eliminated, leaving Warriors fans wondering what could've been.
Golden State Warriors have held "talk" about two wing players ahead of free agency
The initial reason for the trade that brought Butler to Golden State was that they lacked firepower. It was Curry's first season without playing alongside Klay Thompson, who was one of the best shooters of all time in his own right. Once Curry was injured, the Warriors' lack of firepower became evident again.
While Jonathan Kuminga stepped up after being benched down the stretch of the regular season, neither he nor Butler is a dangerous threat from the outside. Paired with their lack of size, that spelled trouble for the Warriors down the stretch and were unable to avoid elimination.
The Warriors will likely be busy this offseason in an attempt to add more scoring threats on the wing with Kuminga a restricted free agent. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Warriors have identified two players as a potential fit.
"Have heard Herb Jones and Nickeil Alexander-Walker talk for Golden State within last couple of days," wrote Siegel. "Warriors certainly looking for upgrades in free agency this week and potentially on trade market, if the price is right."
Kuminga is likely the best avenue for the Warriors to get anything of value in return. They'll have the chance to match any offer sheet he's presented, but a sign-and-trade seems much more likely. Jones is more defensively oriented than Kuminga, while Alexander-Walker is a capable defender and scorer.
With Curry and Butler getting older, it's uncertain how many more years the Warriors will have to win a title. As long as Curry comes back and is similar to the level we saw him at, there's no reason to think a move here or there could put the Warriors back in the Western Conference Finals.