The Golden State Warriors have long been a franchise that thrives on bold moves and championship aspirations. With Stephen Curry as their cornerstone, the team has sought to build a young core to complement their superstar, hoping to extend their dynasty into the future. Among those young talents is Moses Moody, the 14th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, a player who has shown flashes of promise but may never live up to the lofty expectations placed upon him. As the Warriors rebuffed trade offers this offseason, including a potential blockbuster for Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey, their steadfast refusal to include Moody in discussions has raised eyebrows. By holding onto him, Golden State may have made a critical misstep, betting on a player whose ceiling might not be as high as they hope.
Moody’s development has been a slow burn, but last season marked a significant step forward. Appearing in 74 games, he averaged 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, while shooting 37.4% from beyond the arc. His role expanded significantly after the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler, with Moody stepping into the starting lineup and helping anchor one of the league’s stingiest defenses down the stretch. His ability to guard multiple positions and contribute on the offensive end showcased his potential as a 3-and-D wing—a valuable archetype in today’s NBA.
However, beneath the surface of these improvements lies a troubling reality: Moody’s perimeter shooting remains inconsistent. While his 37.4% three-point shooting in the regular season was respectable, his playoff performance was lackluster, dipping to 33.3% from deep. Though a hand injury, surgically corrected this offseason, may have played a role, this inconsistency is not a new issue. Over his first three seasons, Moody shot 36.4%, 36.3%, and 36% from three-point range—solid but hardly elite numbers for a player expected to be a cornerstone of the Warriors’ future.
The modern NBA places a premium on 3-and-D players—wings who can stretch the floor with reliable shooting while locking down opponents on defense. Moody checks the box on defense, with his length and hustle making him a valuable asset. But the “3” in 3-and-D is where doubts creep in. A 36% three-point shooter is serviceable, but for a starting wing on a contending team like the Warriors, it’s far from ideal. Elite shooters in similar roles—think Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby—consistently hover closer to 40%, providing the spacing necessary to complement a star-driven offense like Golden State’s.
Moody’s inability to string together consistently hot shooting nights raises questions about his fit as a starter. While he has developed into a cost-effective role player, his shooting limitations could cap his ceiling. If he remains a 36% shooter, he may never evolve into the high-impact starter the Warriors envision, especially in a system that relies heavily on perimeter shooting to open up the floor for Curry and company.
This offseason, the Warriors faced a pivotal decision: hold onto their young talent or pursue a game-changing trade. Reports indicate they explored a sign-and-trade for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, but their refusal to include Moody in any deal effectively stalled negotiations. One potential target was Josh Giddey, a dynamic playmaker who could have added a new dimension to Golden State’s offense. By prioritizing Moody’s potential over a proven talent like Giddey, the Warriors have placed a significant bet on the 23-year-old wing’s ability to take another leap.
This decision reflects the organization’s faith in Moody, but it also highlights the risk they’ve taken. If Moody plateaus as a reliable but unspectacular role player, the Warriors may look back on this offseason as a missed opportunity to bolster their roster around Curry, who remains in his prime but is racing against time. Giddey, with his passing prowess and ability to create offense, could have elevated Golden State’s ceiling in ways Moody may never be able to.
Moody’s growth into a dependable rotation player is undeniable, and his defensive versatility and occasional scoring bursts make him a valuable asset. But the Warriors’ vision of him as a future star—or even a consistent starter—may be overly optimistic. His shooting inconsistencies, coupled with the high expectations placed on him as a lottery pick, suggest that he might be best suited as a high-end role player rather than a cornerstone of the franchise.
For Warriors fans, this is a bitter pill to swallow. The hope was that Moody, alongside other young talents like Kuminga, would seamlessly transition into a starring role as the Curry era evolves. Instead, the team may have to confront the reality that Moody’s ceiling is lower than anticipated. By holding onto him at the expense of a potentially transformative trade, Golden State has gambled on his development—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Moody to see if he can silence the skeptics. A full recovery from his hand surgery and another offseason of work could unlock new levels in his game. If he can push his three-point shooting closer to 40% and maintain his defensive tenacity, he might yet justify the Warriors’ faith in him. But if his shooting remains inconsistent, the Warriors may come to regret their decision to prioritize him over a trade that could have reshaped their future.
For now, Moody remains a tantalizing “what if” for Golden State—a player with undeniable potential but lingering questions about his ability to reach it. As the Warriors chase another championship, they’ll need more than promise from their young core. They’ll need results. And if Moody can’t deliver, the harsh reality is that he may never become the star Warriors fans hoped for.