The Long View · Morning

Camp Fills In at the Edges While Two Injuries Shape the Middle

Golden State keeps shuffling the bottom of its roster while two knee injuries decide who actually plays major minutes once camp opens.

By the Warriors Nightly Desk · Saturday, September 19

Golden State added guard Nick Boyd and forward Elias Ralph on September 19 and waived Jacksen Moni the same day, minor moves on a roster already priced at $223.3 million, above the second apron. None of it touches the two absences that will actually decide camp: Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody are both out with knee injuries, and neither is expected back before December 1.

Warriors Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Two In, One Out

Boyd and Ralph both arrive as rookies, filling spots opened when Golden State waived Moni on September 19. Alex Toohey also signed a new deal the same day, worth $2.19 million. None of these moves changes the shape of the roster; they fill out camp bodies while the real competition for minutes waits on health.

The Absences That Set the Terms

Butler is dealing with a knee injury on his right leg, and Moody with one on his left; both carry the same target return of December 1. That means training camp opens without two rotation regulars, leaving Golden State to sort wing minutes among Podziemski, Melton, Niang, Payton and the new arrivals before either forward is back.

What the Slate Looks Like

The preseason runs October 4 at the Clippers, October 6 at home against the Lakers, October 7 at the Trail Blazers and October 10 against the Kings. The regular-season opener against the Lakers on October 21 airs on ESPN. Every one of those dates arrives before Butler or Moody is cleared to play.

The Number Worth Watching

Last season's best five-man look by net rating paired Curry, Butler, Green, Kuminga and Podziemski for 65 minutes across eight games, outscoring opponents by 16.9 points per 100 possessions. It is a tiny sample, but it is the clearest evidence of what this roster looks like when its best pieces share the floor. Camp will spend a month and a half trying to recreate those conditions without Butler even in the building.

When are Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody expected to return?

Both are targeting a return around December 1, Butler from a knee injury on his right leg and Moody from one on his left knee.

When do the Warriors play their first preseason game?

October 4 on the road against the Clippers, the first of four preseason games before the regular-season opener on October 21 against the Lakers.

By the Warriors Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.