there always seems to be at least one player each year that was acquired by golden state in FA or traded for that takes a notable step in their production and efficiency being in gs system. who do you guys think has been the pinnacle of this in modern gsw ball?
24 comments
I don’t know who has taken the biggest step but Ryan Rollins has to be one. I don’t think anyone saw him coming.
Javale McGee. Went from perennial Shaqtin a Fool candidate to serviceable big man
Ty Jerome.
Wiggins went from a laughingstock to an all star.
2022 GPII went from someone who was seriously considering getting out of the league to the most impactful rotation player on a championship team. He’s regressed since, but that has to be the biggest leap.
It’s nothing short of amazing what we got out of Otto Porter Jr.
Maybe the quintessential example is Shaun Livingston (kinda, he was on the upswing before GSW) but the 2025-26 example is very clearly DeAnthony Melton
For me personally, Wiggs has had the biggest step and development in our system. Also I would throw Bogut in there, and the automatic Shaun Livingston cuz he was ridiculous for real 1s who know. If you take into account the biggest step after getting traded away from our system, I would say Ryan Rollins. Also, I think Javale McGee had significant development with us.
I think the most obvious answer is Wiggins. He made the all-star team with Golden State and was great in the playoffs as well. Damion Lee had the best season of his career in 2020 so he’d probably be my other answer.
Steph Curry, duh. Injured $44mil contract to super star. Clearly the biggest leap in the post merger era.
Arguably Poole in 2022 🙁
James Wiseman
2022 poole. No question
Javale McGee
Wiggs definitely. I guess there are people who had bigger jumps from where they started but at their best, how many better players than Wiggs have there been in the bay since 2015?
If we are talking about someone who flourished coming in, Nemanja Bjelica was showing the Euroleague MVP play that helped us win MANY games. I wish he signed with us longer but unfortunately can’t be upset with a ring. Now someone who flourished leaving, without a doubt it is Ty Jerome. He was insane with the Cavs and helped them to a number 1 seed. Rollins is a close second but his was weirdly odd the way he got his role today.
We’ve had quite a few. Poole was statistically the worst player in the league at one point, then became probably the biggest reason we won in 22
Echoing Kerr and coaching staff unlocking GP2 in the dunker spot in 2022 was amazing.
Jordan Poole but then he stepped back
Question a little vague.
To be original, I’ll say Gilbert agent Zero Arenas. 2nd round pick, worked his way to a $161 mil contract with Wizards, had an nba rule changed for him. Has a fairly successful YouTube channel / podcast.
In terms of recent history . The We Believe team , BDiddy made the Dubs a place cool for FAs to sign again.
Not a big step up but Harrison Barnes and his longevity
Steph. His first 3 years compared to everything after that is crazy. Nobody could predict it. His first 3 years were 2 3P out of like 4.7 attempts.
Hot take, Steph curry. Still gets better every day
I’m surprised no one has mentioned the guy in the picture – Donte DiVencenzo. Came here on a cheap deal after being hurt and then wasted by the Kings. Plays well here, goes to NY, then Minnesota and has been a key player for both teams. And he credits his time with the Warriors and watching Steph and his work ethic as a key to how he now approaches the game.