The Golden State Warriors looked ready to shock the league after pulling off the Jimmy Butler deal. They closed the regular season with a blistering 23-8 record and handled Houston in the opening round. Then, everything unraveled. Stephen Curry’s hamstring gave out in the second round, and without their leader, Minnesota sent them packing.
That ending should have fueled urgency. With rivals across the Western Conference reshaping their rosters, Golden State had every reason to reload. Instead, they have stood still. The Warriors remain the only team in the league that has yet to make a single offseason addition, bogged down in a standoff with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
Overdependence on the Core
Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green form a dangerous trio, but the gaps elsewhere are glaring. Kevon Looney walked in free agency, leaving the team without a true center. Talks with Al Horford have gone nowhere, tied up by the unresolved Kuminga negotiations. Brook Lopez was on their radar, but he chose the Clippers instead.
On the wings, the picture is no brighter. Butler is reliable, but behind him lies inconsistency. Moses Moody remains more promise than production. Kuminga overlaps too much with Butler’s role, something Steve Kerr admitted last season, and his long-term commitment to the franchise is shaky at best.
Curry’s Clock is Ticking
Curry has avoided giving a clear retirement timeline, but at 37, the countdown is real. His greatness still shines, yet the organization’s approach doesn’t reflect the urgency of maximizing his remaining years. The Warriors’ passivity this summer borders on negligence.
Kuminga’s potential is undeniable, but his fit with Golden State has never been natural. His disagreements with Kerr over playing time and his openness about his uncertain future have only deepened the sense that this stalemate is dragging the franchise down.
The Brutal Road Ahead
The Western Conference is unforgiving. Oklahoma City returns its full championship roster. Houston added Kevin Durant to a rising young core. Denver’s depth now better supports Nikola Jokic. The Lakers, Clippers, and Timberwolves all loom as threats. In that environment, Golden State’s star power might not be enough if the rest of the roster remains hollow.
Golden State is gambling that its stagnant summer won’t carry over when camp opens. If that gamble fails, the dynasty’s competitive window could close far sooner than anyone expected.
