The Golden State Warriors are undoubtedly the favorites to win it all once more this 2018-19 NBA season, meaning it all boils down to who will challenge them this time around. With last year’s adversary, the Cleveland Cavaliers, breaking up and retooling, the team to expected to step up in the Eastern Conference is the Boston Celtics.

On paper, it is not hard to see why. The Celtics have the same young core backed by tested veterans in Kyrie Irving and the returning Gordon Hayward. Though both are recovering from injuries, it will only be a matter of time before they get back into the groove and lead their rising young stars.

Klay Thompson, a player who has been enjoying success with the Warriors, is fully aware of what Boston can do. He acknowledges how the Celtics have a very nice young team, technically the same one that they were able to assemble, Drew Schiller of NBC Sports said.

Boston almost made it during the 2017-18 NBA season before they fell to the LeBron James-led Cavaliers. With James now gone, the Celtics are the formidable choice with some other teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors likely to make their case this time around. The Detroit Pistons could also be in play, depending entirely on how the players respond to new head coach Dwane Casey.

As far as the Warriors, one can only ponder on how long their success will last. They did beef up their roster once more with the entry of the unpredictable DeMarcus Cousins, a tested big man who can fill in the Dubs’ interior on both ends. Winning three of the past four NBA titles, it seems pretty obvious that they can bag another unless some team finds a way to foil their goal.

Before the Celtics, there is the Western Conference to worry about. The Houston Rockets remain threats to the Warriors’ upcoming campaign with James Harden, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony leading the way.

For the Warriors, all these should come once the NBA season unfurls. Until that time, the Dubs just want to enjoy the moment and aim for another title. Hence, the future for players like Thompson is a reality although something that can be addressed once it is on the table.

However, Klay may have hinted on what his future holds with his heart seemingly bent on staying in the Bay Area according to an interview with ESPN.

“It's just how I feel, to be honest," Thompson said. "This place, it's home. I love living in the Bay Area."