Despite being one of the most dominant teams in the NBA this season, the Golden State Warriors’ bench offense has been absolutely terrible. Despite having a plethora of shooters at their disposal to space the floor, such as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green (who can all play either shooting guard or small forward), the team’s bench has been largely devoid of talent and quality.
The Golden State Warriors have been the NBA champions for a record three-straight years, but have been criticized for their lack of depth, especially in the past few weeks as Stephen Curry has been sidelined with a sprained ankle.
The Golden State Warriors may be the hottest team in the NBA right now, but they could be in need of some help off the bench. After all, they’ve only won the title once, and they’ll be relying heavily on Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green to keep winning games. So, could the team go shopping for a veteran player who has played in the league for a few years?
In 2024-22, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry should finally have his Splash Brother, Klay Thompson, back on the court, as the latter is expected to return this season. Thompson’s comeback, though, means more than simply that one of the league’s best players will be back on the floor after a two-year injury layoff. It also increases the Warriors’ expectations for the next season, possibly positioning them to compete for a championship.
If Golden State wants to compete for a title in 2024-22, it’ll need strong role players who can contribute when the stars aren’t available. And it seems that’s precisely what the squad is searching for at the moment.
According to a recent rumor, the Warriors may strengthen their bench by adding Darren Collison, a guard who, like Thompson, hasn’t played in two years but can still be a solid ball-handler and score when needed.
Before retiring in 2019, Darren Collison was a capable point guard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwn-g8 CF8w
Darren Collison was a first-round selection in 2009, and he went on to play for many NBA teams, proving to be a capable point guard.
Collison averaged 11.9 points and 5.0 assists per game in two seasons with the Indiana Pacers between 2010-11 and 2011-12, after earning All-Rookie accolades in 2009-10 with the New Orleans Hornets with 12.4 points and 5.7 assists per game. He subsequently spent the following two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers, before enjoying his finest seasons with the Sacramento Kings.
Collison had a career-high 16.1 points and 5.6 assists with the Kings in 2014-15, and he continued to put up respectable statistics in a somewhat reduced role the next two seasons. From 2015-16 to 2016-17, he averaged 13.6 points and 4.4 assists per game with Sacramento.
Collison, however, unexpectedly retired in 2019 after two seasons with the Pacers, when he led the NBA in 3-point shooting (46.8%) in 2017-18. In his last season, he averaged 11.2 points and 6.0 assists, both career highs.
According to NBC Sports, the guard wrote in 2019, “While I still love basketball, I realize there is something more important, which is my family and my religion.” “I am a Jehovah’s Witness, and my religion is extremely important to me. Volunteering to assist others and participating in a global ministry brings me so much pleasure. The happiness I’m experiencing is unrivaled. As a result, I’ve made the decision to leave the NBA.”
Collison’s playing career, though, may not be completely ended just yet.
He might be paired with Stephen Curry and the rest of the Golden State Warriors.
When Collison sat courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game with club owner Jeanie Buss, many people speculated if he will return to the NBA for the 2019-20 season. He never returned, although he just worked out with the Lakers again. According to ESPN, the Lakers are bringing back Rajon Rondo, thus putting an end to Collison’s chances of joining the Lake Show.
Collison, though, may still join a championship contender, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, who claimed that Collison will check out with the Golden State Warriors this week.
The announcement doesn’t rule out Collison coming out of retirement, but it’s fair to think he’ll consider it if the proper opportunity arises.
And playing for the Warriors with Stephen Curry might be the ideal scenario.
What kind of contribution might Darren Collison provide to Stephen Curry and the Warriors?
The Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (from right) and Draymond Green celebrate during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 3, 2024. | undefined/Ezra Shaw
The Warriors are renowned for one thing: their ability to shoot 3-pointers. If Collison is added, he will provide more of that off the bench.
Of course, they already have Stephen Curry, the best shooter of all time, and they will almost certainly get Klay Thompson, perhaps the second-greatest shooter of all time, back. However, Andrew Wiggins’ lifetime long-range shooting percentage is 34.1 percent, while backup guard Jordan Poole’s 35.1 percent shooting percentage from outside the arc in 2024-21 was a considerable improvement over his 27.9 percent the previous season.
Otto Porter Jr., the team’s newest acquisition, is a career 40.2 percent three-point shooter, although he has only appeared in 42 games in the past two seasons.
To put it another way, the Warriors could use a bit more shooting, particularly given their style of play, and Collison, who has a lifetime 3-point shooting percentage of 39.4 percent, can provide it.
The UCLA graduate is also a capable facilitator, averaging 5.0 assists each season. As a result, he can be a capable offensive coordinator when Curry needs a break.
No, Collison won’t make a difference in whether the Warriors win a championship or not if he signs, but he can help them win a few games here and there and provide some huge playoff performances.
If completely healthy, the Warriors are already a squad that no one wants to play against. They may be a force to be reckoned with in 2024-22 if they get another good 3-point shooter like Collison.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
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