Warriors Missing the 2020 Playoffs Actually Isn't the Craziest Idea Ever

What was life even like the last time the Golden State Warriors missed out on the NBA playoffs? The franchise as been so good for so long that it seems the Warriors being relevant the postseason has joined death and taxes among life's ironclad guarantees.

But after a wild offseason, it's realistic to think that 2020 might very well be the year Golden State sits at home after 82 games. Just ask ESPN's Zach Lowe.

The Dubs' remarkable run of success, including three NBA titles and five straight trips to the Finals, was no accident, as it was predicated on rostering a wealth of superstars. But now that Kevin Durant is gone and Klay Thompson is under threat of missing the entire season due to injury, Steph Curry and Draymond Green are the only elite holdovers remaining.

D'Angelo Russell was a nice pickup. However, his potential has only been realized for a little more than half a season and came at quite a convenient time for him and his financial situation. Overall, this roster is front-loaded with big names and big salaries, meaning the bench seriously lacks impactful depth options, to say nothing of the loss of crucial glue guys like Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livington.

Curry's lower body has sustained a lot of wear and tear from several deep playoff runs. If he goes down -- those ankles and knees are going to be increasingly questionable as time passes on -- there's no guarantee that D-Lo can carry the team for long stretches. That goes double for Green, who lacks the shooting ability to be any kind of primary scorer.

Building a team around multiple superstars is the prime directive in today's NBA, but when your stars aren't available play, you had better have reliable reserve options. The Warriors simpyl don't have those anymore-- and that fact may cost them a postseason berth at long last.