Predicting Warriors' Breakout Players for 2022-23 NBA Season
The Golden State Warriors are both the defending NBA champions and loaded with up-and-coming prospects who are climbing toward their peaks.
That combination probably shouldn't be possible, but maybe this franchise really is light-years ahead of the rest.
While the Warriors' chances of defending their crown will primarily hinge on the performance of their veteran core, their batch of young ballers can simplify the process by taking a collective step forward. Any member of that group could rise to the occasion, but the following trio leads the way when it comes to breakout watch.
Donte DiVincenzo
On paper, a healthy DiVincenzo fits the Warriors like a tailored suit.
His impact extends to both ends of the court. On offense, he can create for himself and his teammates, bury open shots and finish around the rim. On defense, he is a pesky presence on the ball and a disruptive one away from it.
Since he played his first three-plus seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, he's already been a part of two postseason runs, including one that ended with a championship parade. His experience should allow for a smooth transition to his new team. He's also smart enough to play within the system but skilled enough to step outside of it to exploit a favorable matchup.
Before an ankle injury prematurely ended his 2021 playoff run and delayed his 2021-22 debut, his career trajectory was basically an arrow pointing straight up. If he settles in as quickly as it seems like he could, he can get back to being one of the league's better young role players.
Moses Moody
Moody's first NBA season was...strange.
Disappointing isn't the right word. His shooting rates were fine, and his few G League performances were dominant. He even got 105 playoff minutes under his belt and put his first championship ring in his jewelry collection.
Still, for someone whose game seemed so NBA-ready, he just couldn't secure nearly as big of a role as it seemed like he would.
That can all change this season, as he looks primed to snag a significant role and never let it go. He looked too good for Summer League, and he's been breathing fire this preseason, meaning everything is pointing toward a breakout campaign.
James Wiseman
While DiVincenzo and Moody can enhance things the Dubs already do, Wiseman has a chance to give this club a different dimension.
There isn't another player like him on the roster. He's big (7'0", 240 lbs) and bouncy, a combination they haven't really had since JaVale McGee served as their above-the-rim energizer.
It will take some time before Golden State sees what kind of impact Wiseman's time away has had—his rookie year was cut short by a meniscus tear that wound up wiping out his 2021-22 season—but that may not matter as much as you'd think. While you'd hope to see sharper instincts and a better feel, the truth is Golden State could get mileage out of him simply being big and bouncy around the rim.
A healthy, active Wiseman can simplify a lot of things for the Warriors. He can create easy scoring chances as a lob threat and offensive rebounder. On defense, he can close out possessions with blocked shots or rebounds. His physical tools alone will make him an asset, but if his skills mature quickly, he can truly transform this team.