The Golden State Warriors have made their offseason stance pretty clear: they’re betting on talent, even when the availability column is flashing red.
That approach showed up again in their reported interest in Ben Simmons, the former No. 1 overall pick who sat out all of last season before ultimately signing with the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Simmons drew multiple suitors - including the Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and NBA champion New York Knicks - despite having played just 108 games over the past five years.
It fits the pattern Golden State has followed all summer. Before free agency even opened, the Warriors re-signed veteran centers Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, a move that arguably pushed out a younger option in Quinten Post, whom they let leave for the Memphis Grizzlies as a restricted free agent. They also used the taxpayer mid-level exception on De'Anthony Melton instead of showing stronger interest in Anfernee Simons, even though Melton has appeared in only 93 games over the past three seasons while Simons has played in 171 over the same stretch.
The age and injury risk didn’t stop there. Golden State brought back 36-year-old Draymond Green and 33-year-old Gary Payton II, all while knowing Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody will miss the start of the season because of long-term injuries.
Now the bigger question is whether that same mindset carries into the trade deadline. The Warriors are expected to be active there, armed with more than $80 million in expiring contracts and nearly all of their future draft capital.
They already flirted with the idea of landing Anthony Davis this offseason, especially while also pursuing 41-year-old superstar LeBron James in free agency. Davis could be back in the conversation if he and the Washington Wizards don’t reach an extension, which leaves the door open for Golden State to revisit that kind of move.
And Davis may not be the only name worth watching. Kyrie Irving is another older, injury-prone star who could draw their attention, and there’s also the question of whether the New Orleans Pelicans eventually move on from Zion Williamson.
For now, Simmons is just the latest example of what the Warriors seem willing to do: lean into risk if the talent is strong enough.
In Other News...
Warriors Just Took Another Frustrating Free Agency Hit
Ben Simmons is headed to Sacramento, where he has a one-year deal and a clearer path to minutes on a rebuilding roster. For the Warriors, it is another reminder of how free agency has gone lately when they have tried to sell a fit, a role and the pull of their championship core, only to watch a target go elsewhere instead.
Golden State had interest in Simmons, but the pitch clearly did not carry the same certainty as the opportunity he chose. The latest miss adds to a familiar pattern for the Warriors in recent years, with players weighing the security of a defined role against the possibility of joining a team that still has cachet but cannot always promise the same thing up front. [Read more 🡒]
Stephen Curry Still Gives Warriors One Edge Rivals Can't Solve
The latest reminder of Stephen Currys unique burden on defenses came from an unlikely place, with Knicks guard Deuce McBride breaking down what it takes just to stay attached to him. McBrides read was simple enough: Curry is a nightmare because he keeps moving, makes the right play over and over, and can hurt a defense in more ways than one, whether he is handling, relocating or working off the ball.
What stood out even more was McBrides description of Currys strength and balance when defenders try to crowd him, a trait that does not always match the way he looks on the court. For the Warriors, it is another window into why Curry still creates an edge opponents cannot fully scheme away, even as his recent injury issues make it likely Golden State will have to be careful with his workload in the season ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Face An Early Test That Could Shape Their Whole Season
The Warriors are heading into the kind of opening stretch that can quietly define a season. With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody expected to be out early, Golden State faces the familiar pressure of keeping itself afloat while key rotation pieces are unavailable, and Steve Kerr has made clear that the teams first job is simply to stay competitive until the roster is whole again.
How the Warriors handle those early weeks may matter well beyond the standings. A steady start would buy time and preserve options, while a stumble could push the front office toward harder choices about whether to lean into the present or keep an eye on the future when free agency comes back into focus. [Read more 🡒]