2022-2023 Golden State Warriors Player Grades:
A report card breakdown of all 18 players that stepped on the floor for the Golden State Warriors this season.
The Warriors season ended six games into the Western Conference Semi Finals this year, defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers. As the 6th seed in the western conference playoffs, the Warriors held a regular season record of 44-38. Following up on a championship season in 2021-2022, this season was all over the place. Starting off the year with a preseason trip to Japan, teammates fighting in practice, a 3-7 record to start the season, midseason trade drama and much more. This season put Warrior fans through a rollercoaster of emotions. In this article, I will be breaking down all eighteen players the Dubs put on the court this season, and grading their season A-F.
Disclaimer:
This is not only a grade on how the individual performed this season, but also a grade that factors in the following:Â
Individual statistical season & on court production
Production in relation to their salary
Production for their position & roster spot
Contributions relating to how this individuals season benefits the Warriors franchise moving forward
Highlight of the players statistical year:
GP= Games Played
PPG= Points Per Game
MPG= Minutes Per Game
RPG= Rebounds Per Game
APG= Assists Per Game
Total +/- = Plus Minus Total for the Season. *The plus/minus statistic is a measure of the point differential when players are in and out of a game. It is calculated by taking the difference in the score when the player enters the game and subtracting it from the score when the player exits the game.
The Core 6:
Stephen Curry
Grade: A-
GP: 56Â
MPG: 34.7
PPG: 29.4
RPG: 6.1
APG:Â 6.3
Total +/- : +286
Despite turning 35 years old during the 2023 season, Stephen Curry was as good as he has ever been. Averaging 30 points per game, while shooting damn near 50, 40, 90 (49.3 FG%, 42.7 3P%, 91.5 FT %). Steph did suffer two separate injuries, a sprained shoulder and an injured leg tendon. In the games he played for the Dubs this season, it looks like Steph will be a top 5 player in the NBA at least for a few more years.Â
Klay Thompson
Grade: B+
GP: 69Â
MPG: 33.0
PPG: 21.9
RPG: 4.1
APG: 2.4
Total +/-: +165
The 2023 season was Klay Thompson’s first full season of NBA basketball since 2019. 69 games played at 33 minutes a game (2nd highest on the team) is a huge accomplishment for Klay, especially while scoring 22 points a game on great efficiency (41.2% from 3). Klay also lead the NBA in total 3 pointers made (301). He had a rough stretch to start the season (He admitted he came into camp out of shape as he was scared he would get injured doing offseason scrimmaging, so he did not play much basketball in the offseason), but really turned it on to finish out the year. Klay had an unfortunate playoff run, where I believe he ran out of gas, but overall, a really great season from Klay.Â
Andrew WigginsÂ
Grade: C-
GP: 37
MPG: 32.2
PPG: 17.1Â
RPG: 5.0
APG: 2.3
Total +/-: +118
This C- grade has a lot to do with the games played number above. Wiggs was the 2nd best player on a title run last season, and played the best basketball of his career on the biggest stage. While his 22 game absence was definitely excusable for personal reasons, there was no doubt it was detrimental to a team that was trying to find its footing and escape the .500 record that followed them all season. I would like to note it was admirable how he came back from a long time off and played heavy minutes in the playoffs.
Draymond Green
Grade: B
GP: 73Â
MPG: 31.5Â
PPG: 8.5
RPG: 7.2Â
APG: 6.8
Total +/-: +346Â
Off the court issues aside, this was an outstanding Draymond year. He was awarded 2nd team all defense, he played the 3rd most games for the Dubs this season, 73 games, and led the team in total plus minus by almost 100 points. He was still a force on the defensive end, and an incredible playmaker. The reason this grade is not an A is the fact that he punched Jordan Poole in the face to start off the season, which in retrospect did a ton of damage to Jordan’s season, the team vibe overall, and probably will have some ramifications this summer.Â
*Side note, Draymond also put out !45! and counting podcast episodes this season. I deductive half a letter grade from his season just for that.Â
Kevon Looney
Grade: A
GP: 82
MPG: 23.9
PPG: 7.0
RPG: 9.3
APG: 2.5
Total +/-: +157
Iron man Looney. This in now two straight season where Kevon has played in all 82 of the Warriors games (Not including the countless playoff games from the past two seasons). There were points in Looneys career where injuries put that career in jeopardy. He is now looking like one of the best contracts in the NBA, and showed a ton of improvement in his rebounding, playmaking and finishing around the rim. A phenomenal season from Loon.
*Side note I have to include, the Warriors have tried to replace Looney multiple times (Damion Jones, Jordan Bell, Smailagic, Wiseman, etc.). Feels like they have finally conceded that Loon is the starting center for years to come.Â
Jordan Poole
Grade: C
GP: 82
MPG: 30.0
PPG: 20.4
RPG: 2.7
APG: 4.5
Total +/-: -11
What a season for JP. He struggled his first two seasons in the NBA, bouncing back and forth from the Warriors to the G League. Last year he had a breakout season, averaging 18.5 points per game and playing a key role in a championship run as a spot starter and 6 man. He earned a 4 year, $130 million contract extension this past off-season. He should have been riding high coming into the season right? Well, a preseason punch posted all over social media from Draymond definitely did damage. He seemed disconnected from the team all season, and that led to a terrible playoff outing. That being said, he still averaged over 20 PPG and played relativity well all season. I am curious to see how JPs future with the squad plays out.Â
Rotation Players:
Donte DiVincenzo
Grade: A-
GP: 72
MPG: 26.3
PPG: 9.4
RPG: 4.5
APG: 3.5
Total +/-: +124
Donte was incredible in his first year as a Warrior. He provided a little bit of everything. Starting as a small forward, backup guard, best guard defender, hitting huge shots and making plays all season. It is unlikely that Donte will be back next season, as he will likely receive a large contract elsewhere.Â
Jonathan Kuminga
Grade: B-
GP: 67
MPG: 20.8
PPG: 9.9
RPG: 3.4
APG: 1.9
Total +/-: -53
JK was unexplainably glued to the bench to start the season this year, and really only got steady run in the rotation once Andrew Wiggins took a leave of absence for 22 games. I thought that he played really well in his minutes this year, playing great point of attack defense and providing rim pressure on offense. I was disappointed to see the coaching staff to lose faith in JK so quickly, I hope he gets a real opportunity for a big role on the team next year.Â
Moses Moody
Grade: C
GP: 63
MPG: 13.0
PPG: 4.8
RPG: 1.7
APG: 0.8
Total +/-: -7
I am not really sure where to point the blame for an underwhelming season from Moses… I am leaning towards the coaching staff, as last year, especially in the playoffs, Moody showed big upside. He is a solid defender, good shooter, can rebound and plays hard. It was hard to watch some players get run over him this season, but it showed in this years playoffs that maybe he earned the trust back of the coaching staff. I would love to see Moody as a 20 MPG player consistently next year.Â
Andre Iguodala
Grade: C-
GP: 8
MPG: 14.1
PPG: 2.1
RPG: 2.1
APG: 2.4
Total +/-: +35
This grade I went back and forth on for a while. I couldn’t decide on which to factor to put more weight into. On court production versus off court presence? On the court, I would say this move was a D-, mostly due to the fact he only played 8 games. It is tough, because when he played, he was actually still productive and gave the Warriors smart decision making, playmaking, defensive presence, and added some rim pressure on offense. 8 games is disappointing when we needed veteran production all year. Off the court, Andre was vital. He helped calm the waters with the Poole/Draymond incident, provided guidance for young guys like Kuminga and Moody, and gave the core a guy they could trust on the squad. Hope this was not Andre’s last year in the NBA, and he can give it one more run next year.Â
JaMychal Green
Grade: D
GP: 57
MPG: 14.0
PPG: 6.4
RPG: 3.6
APG:0.9
Total +/-: -156Â
The Warriors thrived last season with a stretch big who could rebound, defend and hit some outside shots. Otto Porter Jr was massive last season in that role, and JMG was brought in to theoretically replace that production from last season. Green just never seemed to fit in any of the lineups for the Warriors this season. The tried, and they missed on this free agent signing. JMG also had the worst +- on the team with a total of -156 for the season.Â
Young Projects:
Patrick Baldwin Jr
Grade: C
GP: 31
MPG: 7.3
PPG: 3.9
RPG: 1.3
APG: 0.4
Total +/-: -53
In retrospect, I wish we saw PBJ get some more run this season. He profiles to be a player that can fit in the Warriors offense, as well as a possible PNR partner with Steph. I could also see him fitting well at the PF position next to Draymond & Looney at C. There were obviously some mistakes from PBJ on the court, but he flashed a lot of offensive upside and has size to hold up on defense. I am buying Patrick Baldwin Jr stock.Â
Ryan Rollins
Grade: F-
GP: 12
MPG: 5.2
PPG: 1.9
RPG: 1.0
APG: 0.5
Total +/-: -47
I am sure Ryan Rollins is a good kid, and could possibly have a bright future in the NBA, but this draft pick and guaranteeing his contract to the roster for multiple years was the worst move of the offseason, and made no sense at all. This is a move that tanking teams do, not teams trying to defend an NBA Championship. He also got hurt and missed most of the season. The Warriors will most likely look to dump his contract this offseason.Â
*Mid season trades
Gary Payton II
Grade: C
GP: 7Â
MPG: 16.0
PPG: 5.7
RPG: 4.3
APG: 1.1
Total +/-: +15
Remember when the Warriors could have outright signed Gary this offseason? Yeah. The Warriors traded for GP2 midseason basically for James Wiseman straight up. It was obvious that Gary was a perfect fit in the Dubs system, and I would have loved to see them sign him last off-season, and possibly trade Wiseman for additional pieces/assets. I am looking forward to seeing GP2 with the Warriors all season next year.Â
James Wiseman
Grade: F
GP: 21Â
MPG: 12.5
PPG: 6.9
RPG: 3.5
APG: 0.7
Total +/-: -107
Where to start? Am I being too harsh? Please remember all the factors I stated in the beginning of this article for how this grade was determined. Wiseman took up $9.6 Million of our cap this season, our 5th highest paid player. Did he live up to that value? The Warriors also used the 2nd overall pick in the NBA draft on Wiseman, their highest draft asset in 27 years. Did he live up to that value? Wiseman was truly a damaging player this year for every lineup he was in. The final straw I believe was that in the minutes he played with Stephen Curry, the Warriors were -63 in just 147 minutes for the season. That is just unacceptable to sabotage the Stephen Curry minutes. Hope Wise figures it out in the NBA, it was just never going to happen on the Warriors.Â
2-Way contracts
Anthony Lamb
Grade: A-
GP: 62
MPG: 19.3
PPG: 6.7
RPG: 3.5
APG: 1.5
Total +/-: +32
Some fans may view this Anthony Lamb as a A- grade a hot take. Most fans were extremely down and negative towards the two-way, and eventual 15th roster spot wing. To be clear, some of that hate was warranted in relation to off the court issues, but in terms of on the court production for a two-way player, this was a great season from Lamb. He was mostly used as a tool for Steve Kerr to use to complete out lineups, provide spacing, passing, and overall energy and hustle for a team that lacked that all year. While I do not think Lamb will be on the Warriors roster next season, he proved this year he can play in the NBA.Â
Ty Jerome
Grade: B+
GP: 45 Games
MPG: 18.1
PPG: 6.9
RPG: 1.7
APG: 3.0
Total +/-: -92
Once again, you have to remember Ty was a 2-way contract. The value he brought the Warriors this season greatly exceeded that of a typical 2-way player. He had an assist to turnover ratio of 3 assists to .7 turnovers a game, which is very good. Steph Curry missed 26 games this season, and the Warriors had a 14-12 record without Steph. Jerome was the backup point guard in those games, and he played very well filling in that role. I think he has a shot to make the 15 man roster next season.Â
Lester QuinonesÂ
Grade: NA
There are not enough NBA games for me to have a grade here. Great season in the G-League for Lester, could be an interesting choice for a 2-Way contract next year.Â
There are lots of differing grades to go around on this report. The average of all the grades I gave out equalled around a C+ average, and I think that checks out. That is probably the grade I would give the Warriors season as whole, a C+ season. Not awful, but definitely a disappointing season following up a championship run last year. I think there will be some roster shake up this offseason, and I am looking forward to see what squad we will be rolling out for the 2023-2024 season.
Let me know in the comments if you agree, disagree, or have any thoughts on any of the grades I handed out in this article.
Nice - agree with most of these grades and agree the Warriors season was a C+ overall. The only grades I would have different are:
Wiggins: C+ because of his solid playoff performances
Draymond: A- because he was a DPOY candidate and played in 73 regular season games, which is the most for him since 2017 (fair to deduct him for the punch and podcasting during the season though)
DiVincenzo: B+ because he was shaky in the playoffs, regular season was an A-
JMG: C- because he was only on a minimum contract and was still a veteran in the locker-room
Thanks for a great season recap!