The NBA trade deadline always brings a little chaos, and right now, the Golden State Warriors are feeling it more than most. With rumors swirling and uncertainty hanging in the air like fog over the Bay, Steve Kerr’s squad is trying to keep its footing - but it’s been anything but smooth sailing.
Trade Chatter, On-Court Struggles, and a Flat Night in San Francisco
Tuesday night’s 113-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers wasn’t just a bad night on the scoreboard - it was a performance that felt disconnected, uninspired, and, frankly, out of sync. Yes, Steph Curry was sidelined with a knee issue, but even without their superstar, the Warriors have shown they can compete. This time, though, they looked like a team stuck in neutral.
After the game, Kerr was asked whether the looming trade deadline was messing with his team’s mindset. His answer? Honest, but measured.
“Maybe, I don’t know,” Kerr said. “The NBA season - it’s 82 games, and you can almost feel the ebbs and flows when you coach a team.
You can predict when things are going to go well and when they’re going to go poorly. This just wasn’t a good vibe for us tonight.”
That “vibe” Kerr mentioned? It was off from the jump.
The Sixers were coming off a back-to-back, while the Warriors had three full days of rest. But instead of coming out with energy and urgency, Golden State looked sluggish, turning the ball over early and failing to get back in transition - a cardinal sin in today’s NBA.
“We’re going to come out and bring the juice, bring the fight to them,” Kerr said of the team’s pregame mindset. “But the first five minutes, we had guys turning it over, not running back, sulking.
No - it’s about competing. For 48 minutes.
For 82 games. You have to establish that.”
That’s the part that stung most for Kerr - not the final score, but the lack of fight. The Warriors didn’t just lose; they didn’t compete the way they expect to, the way their championship pedigree demands.
Kuminga’s Situation, Giannis Rumors, and the Weight of What-Ifs
Of course, it’s impossible to ignore the noise surrounding the team right now. Jonathan Kuminga’s trade request earlier this season stirred up plenty of headlines, and with other big names like Jimmy Butler and even Giannis Antetokounmpo suddenly popping up in trade talks, the Warriors’ roster stability feels more fragile than ever.
That kind of uncertainty can creep into a locker room. Players start wondering if they’ll still be in town next week, if their role is safe, if the team’s direction is shifting. And while Kerr didn’t explicitly tie the performance to the trade buzz, it’s clear that something is throwing the Warriors off their rhythm.
No Curry, No Offense - Who Steps Up Now?
With the loss, Golden State dropped to 4-8 this season when Curry doesn’t suit up. And the offensive numbers in those games?
Rough. Over the last three without him, the Warriors are averaging just 90.3 points per game, shooting under 39% from the field and a meager 31% from deep.
They’ve also been coughing up nearly 19 turnovers per contest - a recipe for disaster without their floor general.
So, who needs to step up?
Let’s start with Brandin Podziemski. The rookie has shown flashes, but in this recent stretch, he’s struggled to carry the offensive load.
Over the last three games, he’s averaging 10.7 points on 32.4% shooting, including just 27.3% from three. With a usage rate north of 25% and over 11 shots per game, those numbers simply aren’t getting it done.
Podziemski has the green light - now he needs to find his rhythm and make it count.
But it’s not all on him. Guards like De’Anthony Melton and Moses Moody need to be more consistent threats from the perimeter.
And inside, the Warriors need more from their bigs. Quinten Post and Al Horford have to assert themselves next to Draymond Green, especially with Curry out and the offense looking for new anchors.
Next Up: Phoenix
The Warriors won’t have much time to dwell on this one. They’re back in action Thursday on the road against the Phoenix Suns - and Curry’s still expected to be out. That means another opportunity for the supporting cast to step up, for the team to rediscover its identity, and for Kerr to see who’s ready to fight through the noise.
Because while trade rumors may be swirling, the games don’t stop. And for the Warriors, the clock is ticking - not just on the deadline, but on a season that’s still searching for its spark.