The Warriors are staring down a familiar problem, only this time the math is even harsher. Stephen Curry is still the center of everything in Golden State, but Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler are both on the same aging arc, and the cost of keeping this group together could shape the next chapter of the franchise.
Curry has already done his part to give the Warriors more breathing room. According to The Athletic’s Nick Friedell, “Curry, according to one team source, left money on the table in the deal,” and that decision matters because Golden State is trying to squeeze out every possible advantage around its star. Friedell also noted that the Warriors are set up to have plenty of cap space next summer, with Butler’s and Green’s expiring contracts potentially opening the door to another star alongside Curry.
That’s the tension here: the Warriors want to keep winning with Steph, but the roster around him is expensive, old, and increasingly difficult to manage. Green and Butler would reportedly like to retire in Golden State and help Curry finish the job in San Francisco. The catch is that doing so would likely mean taking significantly smaller contracts.
“Butler and Green have expressed interest in retiring with the Warriors, though doing so could require them to return on substantially smaller contracts. That is not something Curry had to do.
He didn’t have to take a dime less than the max. Instead, he took less, giving the Warriors more room to try to maneuver one more playoff run around him.”
Green’s place in Warriors history is secure. He has been there for the championships, and his loyalty to the franchise has long been part of his story.
But there was a stretch a few years ago when he nearly left for the Memphis Grizzlies, and this summer brought more uncertainty when he went weeks without a new contract. He ultimately returned on a one-year deal, and his $27 million salary now sits among the numbers Golden State can use to create flexibility.
Butler’s situation is similar, just with a different profile. He has one year and $56.8 million left on his deal, and on paper he still looks like the kind of player who can swing a season.
The six-time All-Star has career averages of 18.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. The issue is availability.
If he can’t stay healthy, the Warriors may be better off redirecting that money toward someone who can be counted on more often. The last update on Butler was that he was on track for an early recovery, but there’s no guarantee he returns to his usual level.
Golden State’s front office doesn’t have the luxury of waiting this out. The team values its veterans, but sentiment won’t solve the age problem. The Warriors need to get younger if they want to make the most of Curry’s remaining years, and anyone not willing to sacrifice for the bigger picture may not be part of the plan.
In Other News...
Warriors Just Sent A Clear Message About Lajae Jones
Lajae Jones is already getting a head start on the next stage of his career, and it comes overseas rather than in a Warriors camp. Golden States 54th overall pick signed with Italian club Pallacanestro Trieste after four years of college basketball, then opened his professional career by logging 19 minutes and scoring 10 points in his debut.
For the Warriors, the move says plenty about how they are sorting out their recent second-round picks. Jones was not brought to training camp, while the team has kept Alex Toohey in the development pipeline and expects him to spend time with the Santa Cruz roster. It leaves Jones to build his resume in Italy, while Golden State makes clear which young player it wants closest to its system for now. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Took A Real Risk On Al Horford For One Reason
The Warriors are clearly betting that Al Horfords value still outweighs the risk attached to his medical file. Golden State signed the veteran center to a two-year contract with a second-year player option, a move that signals both respect for what he can still provide and an understanding that his availability has been a concern. Horford missed a significant stretch last season, but he arrives to camp with the kind of reputation that can make a team overlook some of the baggage, especially when the front office believes he fits what they need.
What makes the gamble more interesting is the confidence inside the building. Horford is reported to be in excellent shape entering training camp, and the Warriors medical staff seems comfortable enough with where he is physically to move forward without hesitation. For Golden State, the logic is straightforward: if Horford stays upright, he can help in ways few available bigs can, and the team is willing to live with the uncertainty because the upside is real. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Camp Battle Next To Draymond Just Got More Intriguing
Training camp in Hawaii brings a familiar kind of Warriors intrigue, and this year it starts with the frontcourt rotation. With Draymond Green set to anchor the unit, the staff is sorting through a young forward group that includes Yaxel Lendeborg and Gui Santos, two players who have both drawn attention in camp work. Green came away impressed after minicamp, and the early signs suggest Golden State has more than one option to consider as it tries to settle the shape of its starting group.
The front line is only part of the equation, either. The Warriors still have two starting spots in play, and the backcourt picture is also unsettled with Brandin Podziemski and De'Anthony Melton competing at shooting guard. For a team that has leaned on continuity in the past, this camp is shaping up as one of those early stretches where the rotation can change quickly, especially if one of the younger forwards keeps building on what the coaches have already seen. [Read more 🡒]