Golden State Warriors: Will They Be a Threat in the Western Conference Next Year

Looking back at Golden State's overall performance this season, including roster changes made, it's safe to say it will take at least a year or two before this California team will pose a legitimate threat in the Western Conference.

First off, the Warriors produced a losing record of 23-43 in 2011-2012. Although they rank No. 12 overall in points per game (averaging 97.8), they weren't able to pull off those clutch-time games.

Golden State's strongest month of the season proved to be February, in which it held its own with a record just over .500. However, things went downhill from that point on.

In mid-March, GS made the decision to trade Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown to Milwaukee in exchange for injured center Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson. At that point in the season, Ellis led the team with 21.9 points and six assists per game.

Following the move, Yahoo! Sports writer Adrian Wojnarowski said the following:

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New Warriors coach Mark Jackson had guaranteed Golden State would make the playoffs this season. With Ellis gone and Bogut potentially sidelined for the rest of the season after fracturing his left ankle on Jan. 25, the Warriors will have trouble meeting Mark Jackson’s goal.

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Wojnarowski's assertion proved correct, as the Warriors lost nine of their next 11 games.

Golden State's success next season will depend on three main factors:

Will Stephen Curry Return to the Court Fully Recovered?

Twenty-four-year-old Stephen Curry suffered a sprain to his surgically repaired ankle, but the team hopes he will be at 100 percent for next season.

Depended on to be one of Golden State's impact players, Curry's absence from a majority of 2011-2012 definitely hurt the Warriors. Without Curry, the team can't be expected to win many games.

Will Andrew Bogut Recover and Pan Out for the Warriors?

Andrew Bogut is definitely a team asset...when he's healthy. The injury-prone center was definitely a gamble for Golden State, as he has yet to play a single game for the West Coast team.

When at full strength, Bogut averages 11.3 points and two blocks per game, and he would certainly improve the Warriors' inside play.

How Will the 2012 Draft Affect the Warriors Lineup?

According to a mock draft on NBADraft.net, Golden State is currently expected to select UConn shooting guard Jeremy Lamb at No. 7. Standing at 6'5", Lamb is averaging 17.7 points per game as only a sophomore.

If the Warriors do in fact go this route, Lamb could be a valuable addition to the team and hopefully fill the void left in Ellis' absence.

Conclusion

If these three factors go according to plan, Golden State will definitely raise its number in the "W" column next season, and the team may even make a run at the playoffs. However, the Warriors don't yet have what it takes to contend in what looks like to be—once again—an extremely competitive conference.

In time, Warriors fans. In time.