In today’s Dub Hub:
- Warriors rank 8th in NBA.com’s Power Rankings ahead of this week’s season opener.
- Warriors waive Seth Curry with expectation he will re-sign with the team in a couple of months, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
- Rockets and Kevin Durant agree to a two-year, $90 million extension, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Veteran additions this offseason, along with continuity from last year’s 22–5 finish after acquiring Jimmy Butler, have analysts viewing the Golden State Warriors in a positive light heading into the new
season. According to NBA.com, the Warriors enter the year ranked No. 8 in their initial NBA Power Rankings.
The Warriors slot just behind the Los Angeles Clippers (6th) and the Houston Rockets (7th) in the rankings — two teams that made major roster upgrades this offseason. Golden State ranks ahead of the Orlando Magic (9th) and the Los Angeles Lakers (10th).
Having said that, concerns linger about Golden State’s age, athleticism, and ability to stay healthy. Head coach Steve Kerr has already said Al Horford’s minutes will be managed to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Meanwhile, Moses Moody is expected to miss the start of the regular season, and Jimmy Butler continues to recover from an ankle injury that sidelined him for much of the preseason.
Interestingly enough, despite these concerns about the team being old and slow, the Warriors actually played faster this preseason. NBA.com noted Golden State played at the fifth-fastest pace during the preseason, with Stephen Curry leading the league in fast-break points per 36 minutes.
The Warriors saw the league’s fifth biggest jump in pace from last season (17th) to the preseason (fifth). And the pace was fastest (113.3 possessions per 48 minutes) with Curry on the floor. Curry (9.1), Buddy Hield (7.3) and Gary Payton II (7.3) all ranked in the top eight in fast break points per 36 minutes among the 340 players who played at least 50 minutes total.
Given how they closed last season and the additions they’ve made to complement their veteran core, the Warriors’ placement makes sense. As long as Curry stays healthy, Golden State should remain a legitimate title contender.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, October 17th:
Warriors News:
Sloppy Warriors vow to make fixes before 2025-26 NBA season opener vs. Lakers | NBC Sports Bay Area
“Some of it [was odd rotations], but some of it is just careless play and lack of fundamentals,” Kerr said. “One-hand passes off the dribble when two hands are available. And if you have two hands on the ball, and the guy cuts as you’re passing, you can pull it back. But one hand, you throw it out of balance. And we had several of those. So, the fundamental stuff has to improve.
“But, you know, I think Jimmy solves a lot of that.”
Said Horford: “I do think that once Jimmy gets back out there and all our guys, I feel like there will be more of an awareness, an urgency and understanding that we have to take care of the ball.”
The Warriors committed 110 turnovers in their five preseason games, averaging 22 per game. That’s about six or seven more than Kerr’s comfort zone.
Warriors sage Draymond Green believes in Brandin Podziemski but warns: ‘Be careful’ | The Athletic
“Don’t give people too much,” Green continued. “Because the moment you have a bad game …”
Green took a pause, as if he were remembering something that happened to him.
“Something our young guys haven’t had to deal with because we’re here — it’s like when things go wrong they don’t get crushed,” Green said. “We get crushed. But we’ve gotten crushed for years, so it’s fine. When you start going through that, that’s a different thing that you have to deal with, and I think one of the benefits of being a young guy here is you haven’t really had to experience that. And I don’t want him to experience that before he has to, because that’s a heavy weight. And if you don’t have to go through that, leave it where it’s at.
Warriors waive Seth Curry, expect to re-sign him later in the season
NBA News:
Power Rankings, Week 1: Thunder reign as 2025-26 season begins | NBA
Last Week:3
Preseason record: 1-3
OffRtg: 106.8 (23) DefRtg: 110.5 (16) NetRtg: -3.6 (21) Pace: 106.9 (3)
The pressure is on in Cleveland. The Cavs have the league’s most expensive roster and underachieved in the 2025 playoffs after earning the top seed in the East with the league’s most efficient offense. Anything less than a trip to the NBA Finals could prompt a breakup of this team’s core.
Kevin Durant signs a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the Rockets
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Who should be the Warriors’ fifth starter vs. the Lakers?
A center spacing the floor is a luxury Curry and Kerr haven’t had much of during their decade-long collaboration. Horford opens the playbook further and expands Kerr’s tactical repertoire. Opponents will not only have to worry about the possibility of Curry coming off of one or multiple screens — they will have to worry about whether Horford chooses to dive toward the rim
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
