As outlined earlier, we all know that this season was going to see a regression from the Warriors. Injuries were always going to see to that. Much like in Brooklyn, there has been inflated expectations purely because of the names involved.

But break it down, and both teams are not the sum of their parts. The Nets essentially swapped Russell out for Kyrie Irving. Yes, they've added Durant, but he's of course red-shirted. Taurean Prince, starting in his stead, is no Kevin Durant.

In Golden State, Durant is of course gone, but so is Thompson. As good a player as Russell is at one end of the court, he's awful at the other. Klay's insane  offensive bursts sometimes mask the fact that he is an elite wing defender. Replacing him with Russell is a large reason that the Warriors defense has cratered.

Throwing the season away means that the team isn't pressured to rush Klay back from his ACL tear. The last time the Warriors brought someone back half fit, it didn't turn out so well. Giving Thompson a full season to recuperate can only help reduce the risk of re-injury.

Likewise, the team can schedule a lot more rest for Green and – when he returns – Curry. This season can essentially be a free hit for those two as far as games played and time on the court.

That's before we even take into account the rest the veterans will have from (likely) not having to push through the play-off grind. These guys are not spring chickens any more. Giving them a lighter season should extend the back end of their primes.

That leads to another important point: missing the playoffs.

As part of the Durant/Russell sign and trade, the Warriors sent a protected 2020 first to Brooklyn. Should the Warriors pick fall between 1 and 20, they'll keep the pick and it reverts to a pair of 2025 second rounders.

A top 10 selection will be a godsend to a team that hasn't picked any higher than 28th since taking Harrison Barnes at #7 way back in 2012. Yes, the team are going to develop youngsters this season, but gaining a high pedigree prospect is so rare for a team with as much recent success as the Warriors.

Sometimes you need a bit of luck, like a long forgotten trade or, in startlingly similar circumstances to the 1997 Spurs, a little bit of bad luck, turned good.

Finally, throwing away the season means that there is little reason rationale for keeping D'Angelo Russell. Offensively, he's part Steph, part Klay, making him both a wonderful player and redundant when both are fit and firing.

He's also a 23 year old all-star on a long term contract, who has already shown he can be the centrepiece of an effective NBA offense. With the 2020 free agent market looking a little thin, teams looking to make a splash will take a long look at D'Lo.

This opens up so many avenues for the Golden State front office. Do they dump him for cap space and picks? Do they try to acquire another star? Do they trade for competent veteran depth to replace Livingston, Iguodala, David West, et al?

Warriors fans, this season is not going to be easy. Nobody doubts that now. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and no, it's not Kawhi Leonard coming to grind you into dust.

The Warriors have options, and with it, a path to regaining their recent glories. They just have to take a hit along the way.

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