The Golden State Warriors’ roster is a puzzle that fans and analysts alike are constantly trying to piece together. Amid the whirlwind of trade rumors and starting lineup predictions for the upcoming season, one name has been conspicuously absent from the conversation: Moses Moody. The young wing, who recently signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract, has been relegated to trade bait in many discussions rather than being viewed as a cornerstone for the Warriors’ future. But a stunning revelation about his late-season struggles could flip the script entirely, putting Moody back in the spotlight as a potential starter under head coach Steve Kerr.
In a candid interview with Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, Moody dropped a bombshell about the true extent of a thumb injury that hampered him late last season. The 23-year-old revealed he played through a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his thumb, an injury he sustained during a March 18 clash with the Milwaukee Bucks. The injury required surgery shortly after the Warriors’ playoff exit, but Moody’s grit and determination kept him on the court despite the pain.
“I had to shoot with four fingers; I couldn’t grab the ball,” Moody admitted. “I didn’t know it was torn. If I had, things might have been different. But we were in a sprint to the playoffs, and things were going well for us. I wasn’t going to stop.”
The numbers tell a stark story of the injury’s impact. Before the injury, Moody was a revelation as a starter in 14 consecutive games, averaging an impressive 12.8 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 49.2% from the field and a scorching 43.3% from three-point range on nearly five attempts per game. The Warriors thrived during this stretch, showcasing their potential as a championship contender. However, after the injury, Moody’s performance took a nosedive. In the final 13 games of the regular season, his scoring dropped to 9.0 points per game, with his shooting plummeting to 38.5% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc. The playoffs were no kinder, as Moody, no longer a starter, averaged just 7.1 points on 35% shooting and 33.3% from deep.
Moody’s late-season struggles led many to question his role with the Warriors, with his new contract fueling speculation that he could be traded to bolster the roster. However, this injury revelation changes everything. The Moses Moody we saw before March 18 wasn’t just a role player—he was a dynamic two-way force, capable of stretching the floor with his shooting and locking down opponents with his point-of-attack defense. That version of Moody is exactly what the Warriors need alongside stars like Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, who thrive when surrounded by shooters and versatile defenders.
Instead of being a trade chip, Moody’s pre-injury form suggests he could be a key piece of Golden State’s puzzle. His ability to knock down threes at a high clip addresses the team’s need for spacing, while his defensive tenacity makes him a perfect fit in Kerr’s system, which demands versatility on both ends of the court. The Warriors’ success during Moody’s starting stint last season is no coincidence—his contributions were a driving force behind their late-season surge.
The idea of Moses Moody cracking the Warriors’ starting lineup might sound far-fetched to some, especially with the team’s depth and the uncertainty surrounding the roster. But Kerr has never been afraid to make bold decisions, and Moody’s skill set aligns perfectly with Golden State’s needs. His pre-injury numbers rival those of established starters, and his youth (at just 23) means there’s still untapped potential waiting to be unleashed.
Imagine a lineup featuring Moody’s sharpshooting and defensive prowess alongside Butler’s playmaking and Green’s defensive anchoring. It’s a combination that could wreak havoc on opponents, blending youth, athleticism, and veteran savvy. While the Warriors’ starting five is far from set, Moody’s injury revelation should force fans and analysts to rethink his role. Trading him now, unless it’s for a game-changing asset, would be a mistake. Instead, Kerr might just shock the NBA world by handing Moody the keys to a starting role.
As the Warriors gear up for another season of championship aspirations, Moses Moody’s story is a reminder that potential can be hidden beneath the surface. His resilience in playing through a debilitating injury speaks to his character, while his pre-injury performance hints at his ceiling as a star in the making. The conversation around Moody shouldn’t be about trades—it should be about how high he can climb in Steve Kerr’s rotation.
Could Moses Moody, the forgotten man in Golden State’s plans, emerge as the unlikely hero of the 2025-26 season? If his pre-injury form is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes. Warriors fans, buckle up—Kerr’s next big decision might just redefine the team’s future.