Warriors Front Office Signals Aggressive Mindset as Trade Deadline Passes
The Golden State Warriors didn’t sit on their hands at the trade deadline. They made noise-and sent a message.
Jonathan Kuminga, once seen as a cornerstone of the team’s youth movement, is headed to Atlanta in exchange for veteran big man Kristaps Porzingis. It’s a bold swing that underscores where the Warriors see themselves: still in the hunt, still willing to make moves to win now.
Kuminga’s departure wasn’t exactly a surprise. His name had been floating in trade rumors for years, and reports suggest he requested a move after struggling to find a consistent role in Steve Kerr’s rotation.
For a player with his athleticism and upside, limited minutes can be frustrating. But for the Warriors, it was about making the roster fit the moment-and right now, that moment demands experience and impact.
The Giannis Pursuit: A Glimpse Into Golden State’s Ambitions
What really turned heads, though, was the revelation that the Warriors were reportedly in the mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Whether or not the Bucks ever seriously considered parting with their two-time MVP is unclear, but Golden State’s offer reportedly included Kuminga, Draymond Green, Buddy Hield, and up to four first-round picks. That’s not just a trade package-that’s a franchise-altering proposal.
It also tells us something key about the Warriors’ front office mindset. Mike Dunleavy Jr., speaking to reporters after the deadline, made it clear: the team is ready to move whatever assets it takes to compete at the highest level.
“We’re willing to do whatever it takes to improve this team, whether it’s young players or first round picks,” Dunleavy said.
That’s a strong statement. And it’s one that aligns with the team’s current trajectory. Dunleavy noted that as long as the Warriors believe they’re in a win-now window-a window he said was still open before Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury-they’ll stay aggressive in reshaping the roster.
Draft Capital: The War Chest Is Still Full
Even after the trade deadline, the Warriors are far from out of chips to play. They could have offered four first-round picks in a deal for Giannis, the most any team could put on the table at that time.
Come the offseason, that number could rise to five first-rounders and three first-round pick swaps. That’s a serious arsenal for a team that wants to make another splash.
Of course, they’re not the only ones who’ll be armed with picks this summer. Other teams will have even more flexibility than they had at the deadline. But Golden State’s willingness to part with premium draft capital is notable-especially for a front office that has already shown it’s not afraid to move on from recent first-rounders.
The last time the Warriors moved a first-round pick was in the Jimmy Butler trade, when they sent their 2025 pick to Miami. Before that, they dealt a 2030 protected first-round pick (along with Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and Ryan Rollins) to Washington in the Chris Paul deal. That pick has since made its way to Dallas in the Anthony Davis-to-Wizards trade, but because it’s top-20 protected, the Warriors could still move it if it falls within that range.
Youth Movement Thinned, But Not Gone
Since 2019, the Warriors have used six first-round picks. Only two of those players-Moses Moody (14th overall in 2021) and Brandin Podziemski (19th overall in 2023)-are still on the roster.
The rest? Gone.
Poole (28th in 2019), Wiseman (2nd in 2020), Kuminga (7th in 2021), and Baldwin (28th in 2023) have all been traded, with varying returns. Some of those moves brought in veterans like Chris Paul and now Porzingis.
Others were about clearing cap space or reshuffling the depth chart. Either way, it’s clear that the Warriors aren’t clinging to past draft investments-they’re focused on the present.
That said, there’s still a young core in place. Podziemski has shown flashes of high-level playmaking and basketball IQ.
Moody remains a capable 3-and-D contributor when given the minutes. Gui Santos, Pat Spencer, Will Richard, and Quinten Post round out a group of younger players who offer developmental upside, even if their roles are still being defined.
Where the Warriors Go From Here
Golden State is one of the older teams in the league, and with Butler sidelined, the road ahead this season just got tougher. But the front office isn’t backing down. If anything, they’re doubling down on their belief that this core-veterans and young pieces alike-can still compete.
The Porzingis deal shows they’re looking for immediate impact. The reported Giannis offer shows they’re not afraid to swing big. And Dunleavy’s comments make it clear: first-round picks, young players, established names-everything’s on the table if it means keeping the championship window open.
In the end, that’s the Warriors’ identity in this era. They’re not rebuilding.
They’re reloading. And they’re doing it with their eyes firmly on the prize.