The Warriors kicked off their Las Vegas Summer League by suffering a substantial 106-73 defeat against the Trail Blazers. However, general manager Mike Dunleavy is not overly concerned about this early setback.
“So far, so good,” Dunleavy expressed during an interview with ESPN’s Katie George. “We still have a long way to go. I view the offseason as the period from when the season wraps up until training camp, and we have ample time to enhance our roster. We have the entire summer for that.”
Despite the lack of activity in free agency, the NBA community has certainly taken notice of the Warriors’ quiet approach this offseason.
Dunleavy acknowledged the team’s need for strength in both the frontcourt and backcourt, especially with a current lineup that boasts veteran experience but is also populated by younger talents like Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos.
“We learned a lot about our team last season, particularly since we brought in Jimmy [Butler],” he said. “We believe we have a promising group moving forward. Our focus is to identify what we need to add. From that perspective, we’re looking to the frontcourt for shooting and the backcourt for defensive capabilities.”
“Offensively, we want players who can shoot, pass, and dribble. There are numerous needs, but we have pinpointed specific areas to address. As the summer progresses, we’ll work on these improvements.”
Dunleavy also commented on Jonathan Kuminga’s situation, who has expressed frustration over limited playing time.
Initially, it seemed Kuminga’s future with the Warriors might be uncertain, but Dunleavy confirmed he will be returning for another season in The Bay.
“It was a complex situation,” Dunleavy acknowledged. “When Jimmy joined the team, Jonathan was sidelined due to a sprained ankle, which resulted in him missing significant time. While everyone else was adapting to Jimmy, JK was out of the lineup. He had to return and integrate himself again during a critical stretch for the team.”
“I think it was a bit challenging for both him and the team. Nevertheless, when Steph was injured, he rose to the occasion. That was commendable from JK’s perspective, which is a significant reason why we want him back.”
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