As we approach the 2023-24 NBA season, let’s dive deeper into the reasons why the Golden State Warriors may face an uphill battle in their quest to return to the NBA Finals, despite their recent championship success.

The Warriors have undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the NBA, securing four  amazing championships in a short span, but the landscape of the league is ever-evolving. The team’s glory days, symbolized by their “Strength in Numbers” era in 2015 and a record-breaking regular season in 2016, have faded away. The departure of Kevin Durant in 2019 indicated a change in their luck, and they have encountered difficulties in sustaining their championship-level standing ever since.

One of the primary challenges the Warriors face is the aging of their main players. Their projected starting lineup averages 33 years of age, which is quite high for a league that thrives on athleticism and youthful energy. Stephen Curry, the team’s linchpin and one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, is turning 36 in March. While he has shown remarkable durability and skill, the same cannot be said for the entire core.

Klay Thompson, the “Splash Brother” alongside Curry, has had his career hampered by crucial injuries. In particular, a ruptured Achilles tendon and a non-shooting hand fracture have limited his contributions over the past two seasons. Draymond Green, the defensive anchor of the team, has also faced injury concerns and enters the upcoming season with an ankle sprain that could jeopardize his availability for the opener.

The Warriors’ heavy dependence on this aging trio stands in stark opposition to their former flexible and well-rounder roster. The arrival of Durant during the 2016-17 season forced them to compromise their depth, and recent draft selections have not effectively filled the void. The team’s struggle to turn their three lottery picks from 2020 and 2021 into valuable assets has left them with a shallow bench, dependent mostly on a small group of inexperienced prospects and seasoned yet lesser-known players.

Despite a brief resurgence in 2022, the Warriors have struggled to maintain their bench depth. Desperation led them to trade away valuable assets like James Wiseman and draft picks to reacquire players who didn’t pass physicals. Once regarded as a possible emerging star, Jordan Poole experienced a decline in his performance, leading the team to trade him for a seasoned player in Chris Paul, who brings along his own share of apprehensions.

In conclusion, while the Warriors experienced a brief resurgence in 2022, the odds are stacked against them in the 2023-24 season. They need multiple aging players to defy the odds and have an uphill battle to secure a spot in the NBA Finals. The league’s dynamics have shifted, and younger, more dynamic teams have emerged, making the Warriors’ quest for another championship an arduous one.