Why the Warriors' three new veterans feel familiar to Kerr

SAN FRANCISCO — It's been 10 days since Warriors training camp opened, and coach Steve Kerr is dreaming of the past.

He's watching Klay Thompson, who opted to leave Golden State in July to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. Look at Andre Iguodala, who retired a year ago. Sees Shaun Livingston, who retired five years ago.

They were good for the team on the floor and good for morale in the locker room. Good for the franchise in general.

It took a few years, but Kerr believes the summer additions of Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De'Anthony Melton give the Warriors three incoming veterans with similar qualities.

“D'Antoni and Kyle gave us, in different ways, some of what Andre and Sean gave us: veteran wisdom, high IQ,” Kerr told NBC Sports Bay Area on Thursday. “Dude gives us a lot of what Clay gave us, that lightning-bolt 3-point shooting. Pin-downs. Causing chaos with the defense with off-ball movement.

“Three people together make our team strong.”

The comparison is loose, Kerr admits, but not as crazy as it might seem.

As the Warriors' young core — Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Thompson — blossomed in Kerr's first season, they realized the value of acquiring respected veterans like Iguodala and Livingston. They bring a certain credibility. They were the “adults of the room.”

Aside from Curry, Green and Andrew Wiggins, these Warriors have a lot of youth. Four players who will be in the rotation — Trace Jackson-Davis, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski — are under 25 years old. They are open to suggestions from experts.

Especially if those vets still have game.

Hield 31, as Anderson. Melton is 26, but entering his seventh NBA season. Through training camp and two preseason games, it's clear all three are playing at a high level.

Melton is a solid two-way guard to start with Curry in the backcourt. Anderson is a wide, delicately clever forward who is sure to be one of the team's most valuable reserves. Hield could be the team's sixth man, a role once held by Iguodala and ticketed for Thompson if he returns.

“We really emphasize running the floor in transition, really sprinting, and man, man, does he fly in transition,” Kerr said. “And what it does is pull the defense with him. This leaves other people open for shots. I love that about her. He's a great transition runner.”

Like Thompson in prime, Hield is a 3-point specialist who uses off-ball movement to defend opponents and free himself up to take shots, as he did in Wednesday night's preseason game, when he went 6 of 7 from beyond the arc against Sacramento. . Another, more obscure factor Hield brings to the Kings is a pick reminiscent of Clay.

“Friend Clay brings us what he always brings us: Everyone smiles when a friend is around,” Kerr said. “And joy goes with a style of play and it feeds on itself.”

Iguodala and Thompson own four rings. Livingston owns three. They were essential components of a championship team. They helped the Warriors raise the bar to the highest level.

This is not predicted by Hield, Anderson and Melton. But Kerr and every member of the front office will gladly accept their help to put Golden State back in a favorable position for the playoffs.

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