Shams Charania: Warriors focused on finding a star to follow Steph Curry

The NBA insider isn’t saying anything new, but will it ever come true?

The Golden State Warriors have put themselves in a familiar (and foreseeable) position. Failing to solidify themselves as a top contender in the Western Conference and lacking a bonafide star who can score besides Steph Curry, the pressure and speculation from fans and media members about potential trades are continuing to heat up. During an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today earlier this week, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania spoke about the organization’s current approach.

“They’re trying to figure out who that next star is for this organization,” Charania said. “Is it going to be internally? We’ve seen they’ve given Jonathan Kuminga the starting spot, then he gets out of the starting spot. The ebbs and flows that have come with him, Brandin Podziemski. But they have been on that hunt for a superstar player right now to pair with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, but also who’s that next guy going to be? They went after Lauri Markkanen, Paul George in the offseason, missed out on both of them. That’s their next find.”

In other words, as Charania sees it, the Warriors front office remains steadfast in not losing sight of the long-term (likely post-Steph Curry) that awaits the franchise as they contemplate moves to improve the team now. While it’s an understandable instinct, it also feels like the exact driver of the organization’s tepid approach to team-building in recent seasons. Young players like Kuminga and Podziemski have shown promise, but the Dubs have yet to “sell high” on a single young player via trade.

Instead, they have only moved on from young players (e.g., James Wiseman and Jordan Poole) after their value had begun collapsing and it was clear they needed a change of scenery. That hesitance could pay off if Kuminga, Podziemski, or even Moses Moody emerges as an impact player soon, but that’s a significant risk to take given Curry’s age, especially if a proven All-Star is available via trade.