The Golden State Warriors are sitting at 15-15, and while that record might not raise alarms on its own, the context behind it tells a deeper story. This season has been a grind.
Between a tough early schedule, nagging injuries, and a constantly shifting starting five, Steve Kerr’s squad has struggled to find any real rhythm. And as we’ve seen before in the Bay Area, when the team treads water instead of surging forward, trade chatter starts to bubble up.
Some Warriors fans are already calling for a major move-something seismic to shake things up, much like last season’s trade for Jimmy Butler. That deal gave Golden State a jolt when they needed it most, helping them stabilize and make a late push. But if you’re hoping for a repeat of that kind of splash, pump the brakes.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made it clear recently that another blockbuster isn’t likely on the horizon. Speaking on NBC Sports Bay Area’s Pregame Live, Dunleavy was candid: “We’ll look to do stuff that makes our team better.
But I wouldn’t bank on that type of move. To get a guy like Jimmy Butler, to have the improvement that we did… that’d be pretty unrealistic.”
Translation: don’t expect the Warriors to swing for the fences just because they did it once. And honestly, they might not need to.
This team doesn’t need a superstar infusion-it needs balance. What’s missing right now isn’t flash; it’s function.
One glaring hole in the rotation is in the middle. Golden State could use a true rim protector, someone who can anchor the paint defensively while also serving as a lob threat on the other end.
A mobile big who can finish above the rim and clean up around the basket would go a long way in stabilizing the frontcourt.
That’s not to say the Warriors are standing pat. The trade deadline is still more than a month away, giving the front office plenty of time to assess the market and identify the right fit. The key here is value-adding the right piece without overhauling the roster or sacrificing long-term flexibility.
If Dunleavy and his team can find that complementary big man and, just as critically, if the core rotation can stay healthy, there’s still a path forward. The Warriors may not be the juggernaut of years past, but with the right tweaks, they can absolutely string together a strong second half and make some noise down the stretch.
This isn’t about chasing headlines. It’s about building a team that can win when it matters. And for Golden State, that starts with shoring up the middle-not swinging for another Jimmy Butler-sized miracle.