Warriors beat writer shares his thoughts on the Warriors and beyond.

Much of Golden State’s optimism rests on the three veterans they acquired this offseason: De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson. Each very well could contribute in the way the Warriors’ best teams of the past decade relied on valuable, experienced role players.

Hield might be the closest movement shooter to Klay Thompson there is. Melton, a smooth shooter and elite on-ball defender, might be the best fit in the backcourt next to Steph Curry.

But Anderson might just be the perfect Warrior. As if he was made in a laboratory funded by Steve Kerr.As a rookie in 2014, Anderson joined a Spurs team coming off their fifth title. He played with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard and for Gregg Popovich. Basically, he started his career with the Warriors’ spirit animal.

A smart player who can impact a game without scoring, Anderson’s basketball I.Q. has been praised by Popovich, Nikola Jokic and Kerr.

At 6-foot-9, Anderson can defend 1-through-5. That’s not hyperbolic; Anderson can hold his own against centers. Anderson is scrappy and a tremendous defender — two of the biggest buzzwords Kerr uses while hoping to establish the team’s identity.

“Small-ball center for sure,” Kerr said of Anderson. “Maybe with Draymond — Draymond’s probably not going to play 82 games. I feel really well equipped to handle an absence from Draymond with Kyle because he plays a similar style. He’s different, but very cerebral, passing, playmaker. We need that.”

Anderson spent the offseason retooling his jump shot, which betrayed him last year after he shot 40% the season prior (on low volume). He’s far from a knockdown shooter, but keeping defenses honest could go a long way.

Offensively, Anderson plays a bruising, physical, and, yes, slow style. Golden State is where unique players like him go to flourish.

Playoff experience. Versatility. Smarts. Passing. Toughness. It’s easy to see why Golden State targeted him this summer.

Anderson could average seven points per game and be the most valuable contributor among Warriors newbies.

Melton perennially ranks among the defensive win shares leaders and Hield is second to only Curry in 3-point makes since 2016, but neither of them check off as many boxes as Anderson does.

Klay check-in

There’s a sense that everyone with the Warriors is happy for Klay Thompson. With the Mavericks, the Golden State legend has a fresh start and an opportunity to compete for a championship.

Just how difficult was the end for Thompson in Golden State?

“The last two years were so tough for me, ‘cause like, you try to measure yourself to what you were, and like, all the accomplishments and all that, and I let so much other crap get into my head, and I forgot why I really play this game,” Thompson told content creator Tristan Jass.

Thompson was definitely in his own head, and suffering from being too online. We’ve all been there.