SAN FRANCISCO -- The Golden State Warriors' move across the Bay promised a major shift in the organization. Kevin Durant's departure and Klay Thompson's ACL tear cemented the transition.
In the latest twist, the Warriors are continuing their battle against ailments. In the last three days, the team has announced Kevon Looney, Willie Cauley Stein, and rookie Alen Smailagic have all gone down with injuries.
Golden State's summer of change has brought eight new players, two of which are under the age of 26. Now, with injuries thinning the Warriors margin for error, the growth of its young core is more imperative than ever.
"It's what the crucial theme of this season is," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Thursday afternoon. "Player development."
Golden State's need for youth maturation comes at the team finds its health thinning. On the eve of training camp, Warriors general manager Bob Myers announced Willie Cauley Stein would miss the month of October with foot strain. Two days later, Smailagic rolled his ankle in a controlled scrimmage that included Looney tweaked hamstring, which is not expected to be serious long-term.
The injuries are forcing Golden State's be creative with its frontcourt for the team's preseason opener against the Lakers. Of the four expected centers on the team, only Omari Spellman is healthy. On Thursday, Kerr said second-year big-man will "probably" start Saturday, with Eric Paschall -- a 6-foot-7 forward -- will also get time in the frontcourt.
"I'm kind of used to playing the five, so in a game, if I got to play three, four or five, it doesn't really matter to me," Paschall said. "I'll adjust and do the best I can."
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The need for youth is a change of pace for Golden State. Last season, the Warriors were the league's sixth oldest team, built around a superstar core of Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. With Durant gone, Thompson rehabbing a torn ACL and an influx of new players, Green and Curry have been de facto assistant coaches. Following practice Thursday afternoon, Curry was assisting D'Angelo Russell -- who signed a four year, $117 million deal in July -- in a bevy of shooting drills, while Green set an example shooting 3-pointers across the gym as Paschall looked on.
"I'm just trying to learn the tricks that come in the NBA," Paschall said. "All these guys, especially Draymond, Steph, seeing all their tricks on the floor, just trying to pick that up and do my best to apply that to my own game."
Paschall's presence was appropriate. The forward is the latest Golden State draft pick to garner comparisons to Green, a match the rookie has welcomed. But if he wants to get on the court, he'll have to follow a familiar blueprint Green perfected early in his career.
"Find a niche," Paschall said. "That you could bring to the floor. So if Draymond's tired, I can go get him, play defense, do whatever I have to do to keep it productive. It doesn't have to be scoring. It could be defensively, getting stops and keeping guys in front of you, getting rebounds. Little loose ball plays, like little stuff like that could make a difference in the game."
The youth movement will face its first test Saturday evening when the Lakers -- a preseason title pick from most NBA observers -- come to open Chase Center, which will be the most barometer of Golden State's progress.
"I think they've all done a really good job," Kerr said. "It's hard to single out anybody yet. I think I'll wait until we actually play a game. I think we need to give it time before we start having that conversation."
