Halfway through the season, the Warriors still have a Klay-sized hole to fill.

As the 2024-2025 NBA season approaches its midway point, the Golden State Warriors are still grappling with a significant gap in their roster—a “Klay-sized hole”—that has yet to be fully addressed. Klay Thompson, once the heartbeat of the Warriors’ perimeter defense and one half of the legendary “Splash Brothers” duo alongside Stephen Curry, has struggled to regain the form that once made him one of the most feared shooters in NBA history. Though Thompson remains an essential part of the Warriors’ identity, his performances this season have underscored a difficult truth: Golden State is in need of more consistency, scoring, and defense from his position to stay competitive in the hyper-competitive Western Conference.

In the aftermath of a dynasty era, in which the Warriors captured four championships between 2015 and 2022, the Warriors’ current roster finds itself in a transition phase. While Curry has continued to play at an MVP-caliber level, Thompson’s post-injury trajectory has not been as smooth. This has left the Warriors in an uncomfortable position, as they seek ways to fill that void and put together a roster that can contend for another title.

Klay Thompson’s Return and His Impact

Klay Thompson’s journey back to full health after suffering two devastating injuries—a torn ACL in the 2019 Finals and a torn Achilles tendon in 2020—has been one of the most inspiring stories in recent NBA history. However, the road to reclaiming his spot as one of the best shooting guards in the league has been a slow and steady process. After missing two full seasons, Thompson returned to the court in 2021, and his comeback was met with great fanfare.

While his shooting touch has often been on display, especially from beyond the arc, Thompson has struggled with consistency, particularly on the defensive end, where he was once one of the league’s premier two-way players. As the Warriors hit the halfway point of the 2024-2025 season, Thompson’s offensive production has been below his historic standards, and his defensive prowess—particularly when guarding elite wing players—has been questioned.

In terms of scoring, Thompson has had moments of brilliance but has been inconsistent. There are games where he looks like the sharp-shooting sniper that helped the Warriors win championships, knocking down three-pointers at a rapid clip and creating opportunities for his teammates. However, there are other nights where he has struggled to find his rhythm, shooting poorly from the field and disappearing in crucial moments. This inconsistency in scoring has placed more pressure on Curry, who has continued to perform at an elite level, but even his extraordinary abilities can’t fully compensate for the lack of firepower that Thompson’s struggles have created.

On the defensive end, Thompson’s Achilles injury has limited his lateral quickness and ability to stay in front of opposing shooters or penetrate the paint to contest shots. While Thompson still has the size and experience to make an impact defensively, his inability to keep up with the best guards and wings in the league has been a noticeable concern for the Warriors. This defensive decline has forced the Warriors to look elsewhere for defensive contributions and has exacerbated their reliance on other players to provide balance.

Thus, Golden State has found itself in a challenging position. They know that Thompson is still a valuable asset—his veteran presence, leadership, and ability to stretch the floor are still integral to the Warriors’ success—but they also recognize that his shortcomings, particularly in the context of a team built around spacing, shooting, and defense, have created a void that they have yet to fill.

The Klay-Sized Hole: What the Warriors Need

As the halfway point of the season approaches, it’s become clear that the Warriors need to find a way to fill the hole left by a less-than-100% Klay Thompson. The question now is: How do they compensate for a player who was once a cornerstone of their dynasty but is no longer playing at that elite level?

More Offensive Firepower

One of the Warriors’ most pressing needs is consistent scoring from the shooting guard and small forward positions. While Curry’s brilliance has carried the team at times, the Warriors cannot continue to lean on him as their sole offensive creator. Draymond Green, despite his remarkable playmaking ability and leadership, is not an offensive powerhouse, and the team’s younger players, including Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, are still developing and have not yet fully proven they can step into the role of a reliable second or third scoring option.

Thompson’s shooting—especially his catch-and-shoot abilities from three—was once the ultimate floor spacer for the Warriors, forcing opposing defenses to stretch across the entire court to account for both him and Curry. In contrast, Thompson’s inconsistency this season has meant that defenses can now focus their attention on Curry more than they would like, leaving fewer open shots for the Warriors’ other players.

Golden State could look to trade for a more reliable scorer to slot into Thompson’s position. A wing player who can provide consistent offense and perimeter defense would give the Warriors the balance they desperately need. Players with the ability to stretch the floor, drive to the basket, and create their own shot would ease the burden on Curry and offer a more versatile lineup. However, finding that player midseason, especially given the Warriors’ salary cap constraints, will require careful maneuvering by the front office.

Defensive Reinforcements

Another area where Thompson’s decline has been felt is on defense. The Warriors have traditionally been one of the NBA’s best defensive teams, but without Thompson at his peak, they have struggled to maintain that standard. Thompson’s ability to guard opposing wings and provide help defense was instrumental in Golden State’s previous championship runs. In the absence of his former defensive intensity, the Warriors have had to rely more heavily on Green and other defenders such as Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney. However, the team needs someone else to step up and fill Thompson’s role as a lock-down defender.

The Warriors could explore options in the trade market for a defensive specialist—someone capable of guarding top-tier wing players and providing help in the paint when needed. Whether it’s a forward who can defend multiple positions or a guard who can lock down opposing shooters, adding a strong defensive presence would take pressure off Green and create a more balanced defensive unit.

Greater Consistency from Young Players

The Warriors have a core group of younger players who, while still raw, could be crucial in filling the void left by Thompson’s struggles. Jonathan Kuminga, in particular, has shown flashes of brilliance, with his athleticism, defensive versatility, and potential as a scorer. Moses Moody has also demonstrated his shooting touch, but he’s still working on developing the all-around game needed to play significant minutes on a championship-contending team.

While the Warriors are hopeful that Kuminga and Moody will continue to improve, the team cannot rely solely on their growth to fill the hole left by Thompson. It’s clear that Golden State needs more immediate contributions from their younger players to support Curry, Thompson, and Green. Kuminga, for example, has the physical tools to be a standout on both ends of the court, but he needs more consistency, especially on offense, to become a reliable contributor. Similarly, Moody’s shooting ability could be a key asset for the Warriors, but he must become more than just a spot-up shooter—he must prove that he can contribute in other aspects of the game.

What Happens if the Warriors Don’t Address This Gap?

If the Warriors fail to address Thompson’s decline and the hole it has left in the roster, they could face significant challenges moving forward. While Curry remains one of the best players in the league, even his brilliance cannot carry a team that lacks depth, scoring consistency, and a reliable defense. Thompson’s inconsistency has forced the Warriors into a difficult position where they cannot simply coast on their past success—they need reinforcements to stay competitive.

The Western Conference is loaded with talent, and teams like the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers are all vying for championship contention. If the Warriors want to remain in that conversation, they’ll need to make a move to fill the Klay-sized hole in their lineup. Whether it’s through trade or continued development of their younger players, the Warriors cannot afford to let Thompson’s struggles go unaddressed. The window for a championship is narrowing, and the Warriors must act if they want to keep their place among the NBA’s elite teams.