Three questions the Warriors must answer heading into a 'Last Dance' season

The Golden State Warriors may be looking at a "Last Dance" season akin to the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls. Partly because four of their starters were born before Michael Jordan won his first ring.

With the signing of 39-year-old Al Horford, the Warriors have four starters over the age of 35. He was their biggest offseason acquisition, along with veteran minimum signings of De'Anthony Melton, Seth Curry and the returning Gary Payton II. They also brought back young forward Jonathan Kuminga, on a two-year deal that looks designed to be traded.

Head coach Steve Kerr is in the final year of his contract. Stars Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler are signed through 2027, but this might be the last, best chance for the Warriors to make noise in the playoffs. Here are three big questions they'll have to answer to do so.

1. What's happening with Jonathan Kuminga?

Kuminga finally signed a contract last week, a two-year, $48M deal with a second-year team option that seems designed to be traded before February. But until then, the Warriors are going to need the just-turned-23 forward (his birthday is Oct. 6) to produce.

 Melton will miss the start of the season. The older starters should get plenty of rest early, especially with the team playing five back-to-backs in the season's first month. The Warriors had an excellent defense last season, ranking seventh in defensive rating and eighth in fewest points allowed, but they're lacking in offensive firepower.

That's where Kuminga comes in. The Dubs need scoring, and he needs to score to open up his future options. Should he consistently rebound or shoot better than last season's 30.5 percent from three-point range, his value grows, both in trades or his future contract. If he can ignore the trade rumors, which shouldn't really heat up until 2026, Kuminga could be a crucial factor in getting the Dubs much-needed buckets — or a much-needed trade acquisition.

2. Can Moses Moody take another step forward?

Moses Moody earned a spot in the starting lineup by the end of the season, ultimately starting 34 games and averaging 9.8 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 37.4 percent on a career-high 4.6 three-pointers per game. That's more impressive considering he played through a torn ligament on his shooting hand, which led to him shooting 31.1 percent from deep post-injury.

Moody's defense is solid, but he needs to get better offensively. Getting up to 40 percent on threes would be huge, but he also simply needs to become a better passer (only 1.3 assists per game last season) and cutter — a player as athletic and as Moody should get more than 17 dunks, especially with Butler, Green and Curry all adept at finding cutting teammates.

The Warriors need Moody, now the team's sixth man, to get just a little bit better, becoming reliable for 28 minutes per game instead of last season's 22.3. Sunday's 19-point effort in 15 minutes in the first preseason game is a great sign that the 23-year-old is on his way.