Can the Golden State Warriors Reach the NBA Playoffs in 2013?

The Golden State Warriors will make it to the 2013 playoffs under two conditions: (1) Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut return to the court healthy; and (2) Golden State brings home a talented shooting guard from the 2012 NBA draft.

The Warriors received Bogut in a midseason trade sending Monta Ellis to Milwaukee, and Bogut has yet to play a game in California due to an ankle injury. 

Prior to injuring his own ankle, Curry averaged 14.7 points and 5.3 assists per game—not exactly the numbers you can afford to lose if you want to see the postseason.

Bogut and Curry each underwent second surgeries on their ankles, and recovery time will definitely affect the franchise's blueprint for next season.

Another thing the Warriors must capitalize on if they expect to be relevant next year is their No. 7 pick in the draft.

According to one popular mock draft, the Dubs are slated to pick Bradley Beal, and Jeremy Lamb is expected to go to Toronto at No. 8.

Both are shooting guards, and I'd be happy to see either one end up in Warriors blue and gold. However, I label Lamb the better fit for Golden State. Both are extremely young, but at 20, Lamb has one more year of experience under his belt—a year that could make a big difference in transitioning into the NBA.

At 6'5" and 180 pounds, Lamb is similar in body type and play style to Ellis, whom Warriors fans definitely miss. Lamb averaged 17.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game at UConn, and Golden State would provide a good environment for further development.

If the Dubs can see Bogut and Curry's healthy returns and add a young SG to the roster, they have an excellent chance of grabbing a playoff berth next season.