Golden State Warriors 2019 NBA Roster: Complete Player Breakdown and Analysis

As I look back at the Golden State Warriors' 2019 roster, I can't help but draw parallels to that fascinating volleyball story where a nation learned to embrace the men's game after hosting the Volleyball Nations League for three years. Much like how that 82nd-ranked team introduced itself to the world, the 2019 Warriors were at a pivotal moment of transition and global recognition, though from a completely different position of established dominance. Having followed the NBA religiously for over fifteen years, I've witnessed few teams that generated as much discussion and analysis as that particular Warriors squad.

The core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green remained, but the departure of Kevin Durant to Brooklyn created what I believe was the most significant roster challenge the franchise had faced since their championship run began. What many casual observers missed was how the addition of D'Angelo Russell through a sign-and-trade represented both an insurance policy and a potential future asset. Russell's 23.6 points per game with Brooklyn the previous season made him an attractive piece, though I always felt his defensive limitations never quite fit the Warriors' system. The supporting cast saw dramatic changes too - the loss of Andre Iguodala to Memphis particularly stung, as his veteran presence and playoff experience were invaluable during their championship runs.

Looking at the big men rotation, Willie Cauley-Stein joined on a bargain contract and provided much-needed athleticism, averaging 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in his Warriors stint before being traded to Dallas. Kevon Looney remained the steady, reliable presence in the paint that Warriors fans had come to appreciate. What impressed me most about that season was how the Warriors managed to develop younger players like Eric Paschall, who surprised everyone by averaging 14 points in his rookie campaign. Jordan Poole showed flashes of the scoring ability that would later make him crucial to their 2022 championship, though his rookie shooting percentages were frankly brutal at 33% from the field.

The injury to Klay Thompson that kept him out the entire season was devastating - I remember thinking at the time that it might signal the end of their dynasty. Stephen Curry's broken hand in the fourth game against Phoenix essentially ended any competitive hopes, limiting him to just five appearances that season. This forced the team into what I'd call a "strategic development year" rather than a true tanking situation. The Warriors finished with the league's worst record at 15-50 in the pandemic-shortened season, but that positioned them to draft James Wiseman second overall.

What fascinates me in retrospect is how this transitional roster laid the groundwork for their eventual return to championship contention. The trade that sent D'Angelo Russell to Minnesota for Andrew Wiggins and what became the pick used to select Jonathan Kuminga was franchise-altering. Sometimes you need to take a step back to move forward, and the 2019 season proved exactly that for Golden State. The organization's ability to retool while maintaining their core identity reminds me of how that volleyball nation learned to grow its program - through strategic patience and smart roster construction. Both stories demonstrate that even during transitional periods, the foundation for future success is being built.