The 2024-25 NBA season has officially come to an end for the Golden State Warriors after they were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs.
Golden State entered Game 5 of the series on the road on Wednesday night trying to keep their championship hopes alive, along with the hope of getting their star guard Stephen Curry back from injury in Game 6.
Steph Curry Draymond Green
Golden State Warriors Steph Curry and Draymond Green
© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Unfortunately for the Warriors, that did not happen as the Timberwolves were able to dominate their way past Golden State in Game 5 to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive season.
This was a disappointing ending for the Warriors as they were not at full health without Curry, which caused the team to struggle and eventually led to their playoff exit.
While this was a disappointing way for the Warriors to go out this season, former NBA player Chandler Parsons believes that their season was still a huge success.
“Obviously Steph, Draymond (Green) and Jimmy (Butler) are getting a year older, but tweak a few things, sign and trade (Jonathan) Kuminga...better that roster and comeback with championship hopes next season,” Parsons said about the Warriors.
While Parsons’ statement is true that the Warriors’ core is getting older, it is clear that they are still a championship contending team after this season.
Parsons also made the bold statement that Golden State should look to trade Kuminga in the offseason, which has become a likely scenario after he was benched early on in their playoff run.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) .
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) .
© Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
By trading Kuminga, the Warriors should be able to get a decent return for him to help build a better roster around their aging core to compete for a championship next season.
Of course, for the Warriors to do so, they will need some injury luck on their side after injuries derailed their chase for a championship this season.