The Warriors’ offseason has done little to calm the noise around Stephen Curry’s future, and the chatter has only grown louder after Golden State came up empty in its pursuit of LeBron James and didn’t land the kind of headline-grabbing star some expected. Instead of a splash, the franchise has leaned on familiarity, a move that has left plenty of people wondering where this is all headed.
NBA writer Jake Weinbach summed up the summer this way: “The Warriors are officially running it back despite missing the playoffs last season. Golden State re-signed Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II this summer,”
That approach has not exactly quieted the frustration around Curry’s championship window. ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins went as far as to suggest Curry should start looking beyond Golden State.
“Steph needs to be planning his exit strategy from the Golden State Warriors," said Perkins on 'NBA Today'. "Think about it, over the last four years, the Warriors have been in the play-in tournament.
And this year, the way that the West is stacked up, they're gonna be a play-in tournament team again. You can't waste any more time hoping and banking that Mike Dunleavy is gonna get it right or is gonna make the moves that are needed to make sure that you can compete for a title, especially in a tough Western Conference.”
Even with all of that hanging over the franchise, Golden State still has a path to add a younger piece who could fit neatly next to Curry. SI’s Joey Akeley pointed to Trey Murphy III as a name worth watching, and he believes the fit could be real if the Warriors decide to make a move.
“Another reason Murphy has so much value is his height (6'8") and athleticism suggest he can make a defensive leap. Mind you, there's no guarantee he becomes a dominant defensive player.
He's already 26 and hasn't been great on that end yet. But if it clicks for him, you could have the next great two-way wing playing alongside Curry.
That's been a recipe for championship-level success in the past,” Akeley wrote.
Murphy has kept improving since entering the league, and his reputation as one of the NBA’s better catch-and-shoot shooters makes the idea especially appealing in a Curry-led offense. If Golden State wants more spacing around its star guard, Murphy would give them exactly that.
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Draymond Green Just Sent A Blunt Message About His Warriors Future
Draymond Greens offseason maneuvering once again gave the Warriors some flexibility, even as it underscored how carefully he is managing his own future. He declined his $27.7 million player option to help Golden State chase free agents, then came back on a one-year deal at the same number, a setup that kept the teams options open while preserving his place in the roster plans for now.
Green also passed on a no-trade clause and settled for a 15 percent trade kicker, a choice that says plenty about how he views his standing. On his podcast, he made clear he can live with the idea of a move if the Warriors no longer want him, a blunt stance that leaves his long-term future hanging over a team still trying to sort out what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Fans Wont Enjoy Seeing This Playoff Villain In Denver
Lonnie Walker IV is back in the NBA, and his return lands in a place Warriors fans know well. The Denver Nuggets signed Walker to a one-year, $3.3 million contract after his stint overseas with Maccabi Tel Aviv, giving them another experienced perimeter option as they reshuffle the back end of the roster.
For Golden State, the name still carries a little extra sting because of what Walker did against the Lakers in the 2023 playoffs, when he made himself hard to forget in a rivalry series that had plenty of noise around it already. Denver is expecting him to work into a bench role after losing Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency, but for anyone in the Bay Area, this is the kind of add that will at least bring back a few uncomfortable memories. [Read more 🡒]
Draymond Green Now Faces Real Pressure To Earn This Warriors Deal
Draymond Green remains one of the most important variables in Golden States plans, even as the conversation around his game has shifted. The Warriors still value what he brings on the defensive end and the voice he provides in the locker room, but there is no getting around the fact that his offensive impact has slipped and his overall production is no longer as steady as it once was.
That is why the pressure around his next stretch with the team feels different now. Golden State is counting on Green to keep anchoring the defense and providing the kind of veteran presence that has long made him essential, even as the margin for error around the roster keeps shrinking. How much of that value he can still deliver will go a long way toward determining whether this remains a smart bet for the Warriors. [Read more 🡒]