LAS VEGAS — When the Warriors’ road shootaround in Las Vegas opened on Tuesday morning, Steve Kerr was seated on the padded scorer’s table next to Moses Moody, the two midway through a conversation that lasted at least another 15 minutes. This is a common Kerr coaching approach. At various times throughout a season, he’ll pull a player to the side after practice to answer questions and gather feedback.
Moody has a decision to make in the next week. He’s extension-eligible until Monday’s deadline. The Warriors and Moody’s representatives have discussed the framework of a possible deal, league sources said, near the mid-level exception range for multiple seasons. At a palatable number, they believe Moody’s talent and character are worth investing in long-term.
“Both Moses and (Jonathan Kuminga) are handling that stuff really well,” Kerr said. “They’re focused on playing. I’ve talked to them both about the extension stuff. They know that I understand their situations, having been there as a player. Every guy is facing a unique set of circumstances.”
If Moody ascends in his fourth season, a deal in that mid-level range would prove to be team-friendly for a young rangy wing who can score and defend. If he waits for restricted free agency next summer, his value could double.
But that’s attached to risk. Despite some extended stretches of strong performance and a tendency to rise back into the picture on the playoff stage, Moody has yet to carve out a regular role in Kerr’s rotation after three seasons. If he’s again unable to gain traction, there’s a chance he’d regret passing up multi-year security over what could materialize in the marketplace next July.
“I’ll trust my agent, the people I pay to focus on that and get the best out of that situation,” Moody said. “I’ll do what I can, which is play basketball.”
The decision must be made before next Wednesday’s season opener against Portland, so there’s no wait-and-see approach depending on a cemented role. Kerr has yet to commit to any starting lineup or bench rotation and is actively attempting to keep options open and signals of his intentions at a minimum. Moody was the 11th man to enter Golden State’s preseason opener and then started the third game. More than any player maybe in the Kerr era, his role has tended to fluctuate rapidly depending on the week.
“He’s gonna play a big role for us,” Kerr said. “But so are a lot of other guys. We’re sitting in that coaches room every day saying: ‘How are we going to play all these guys?’ Because they all deserve to play. I’ve asked all of them to play their hardest, make it difficult for us.”
Moody has made it about as difficult as possible to keep him off the floor the last three weeks. He spent most of his summer working out in Los Angeles, adding strength and decisiveness to his game. Coaches and teammates noticed during their first week of scrimmages in Hawaii, raving about how he looked.
That translated into the preseason. He’s scored 23, 14 and 21 points the last three games, needing only 25, 25 and 19 minutes to do it. Kerr told him at exit interviews they want him to get his shot off quicker and more aggressively, believing he had the accuracy to become a lethal catch-and-shoot threat. He’s done that, eliminating the catch-and-holds or wanders into traffic that frustrated coaches at times the last few seasons.
“He’s playing great,” Kerr said. “He’s gotten so much better in so many ways. We’ve always loved his character, his work ethic. This is the most confidence he’s played with.”
MOS3️⃣S pic.twitter.com/hs5T24R2Be
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 16, 2024
Moody hit five 3s against the Lakers on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. He’s now 13 of 30 from deep in the preseason. But he’s not limited to the perimeter. The Warriors are a team in need of more versatile scorers, and he’s showcasing that ability. He has 13 makes inside the arc, back-cutting his way into buckets, taking the mid-range when it’s there and even powering through traffic for some crafty layups.
“There’s a reason we drafted him,” Kerr said. “Size, strength and ability to shoot the ball. I think he’s grown into his body. He looks stronger to me. When he’s putting the ball on the floor, people are bouncing off of him. He’s shooting much better off pindowns on the move. He’s put all the work in and he’s earned this.”
Attrition generates opportunity. De’Anthony Melton missed Tuesday’s game because of some mid-back tightness, and Brandin Podziemski sat while waiting for his mask to arrive. Podziemski broke his nose on Sunday night, but plans to play through it beginning Friday.
Neither issue is considered serious, but it’s a reminder that bumps and bruises will open opportunities for deeper rotation players. It’s not like Moody has been glued to the bench for three seasons. He has 2,580 career regular-season minutes.
But it has always felt temporary. Moody is searching for a firm hold, but doing so in a crowded room. Melton is viewed as a backcourt regular who fits well next to Steph Curry. Podziemski appears ticketed for 20-plus minutes nightly. Andrew Wiggins is back in the mix and slotted for a likely starting spot. Kuminga is being tested at the small forward spot, which would only crowd Moody more. Buddy Hield has made 15 preseason 3s.
The Warriors have 13 players with a case to be in the rotation. It’s inevitable that a few will be left out to open the season. Steph Curry: “I don’t think you can avoid feelings getting hurt, which is not a bad thing though. It’s a part of the NBA.” pic.twitter.com/m3wrly3eNt
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 15, 2024
It’s a logjam on the wing. But Moody has made his October statement.
“He’s gotten better,” Curry said. “I think he’s been a lot more aggressive looking to score, looking to playmake. He’s a pest on defense when he’s in the right spots. Seeing the game, connecting the game, you can tell there’s a difference … We have a lot of options. He’s gotten the short end of the stick a lot. But hopefully the patience and perseverance will pay off.”
(Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
