Warriors Swing and Miss at the Deadline, Leaving Curry’s Final Chapters in Limbo
The Golden State Warriors were one of the most talked-about teams heading into the trade deadline, and not without reason. With Stephen Curry battling knee issues and the team stuck in neutral, the front office faced a crucial decision point: make a bold move to reload for one more title run, or stand pat and risk wasting what’s left of Curry’s legendary career.
They chose the former. But the execution? That’s where things fell apart.
The Giannis Dream That Never Materialized
Let’s start with the big swing - the Warriors’ pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the Bucks’ season unraveling and Giannis sidelined with a calf injury, Golden State saw an opening.
Pairing the league’s most dominant interior force with its greatest shooter ever? That’s the kind of move that could’ve shaken the NBA landscape.
The Warriors reportedly put together a package that would have required parting with a mix of young talent - Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody - along with a haul of draft picks and either Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler. Butler, who’s now out for the season with a torn ACL, wasn’t an option for Milwaukee. That left Green, and Golden State was reportedly open to including him.
But the Bucks weren’t biting. Not just on Golden State’s offer - on anyone’s.
They ultimately decided to keep Giannis, despite the noise. And with that, the Warriors’ dream of a Curry-Giannis pairing vanished.
Was it the right call not to overpay? That depends on your perspective.
Curry turns 38 before the playoffs begin. Betting the next half-decade of draft capital on a banged-up Giannis might’ve been too risky.
But passing on the chance also means accepting that this team, as currently constructed, probably isn’t contending for a title anytime soon.
The Porzingis Gamble: High Risk, Questionable Reward
With the Giannis door closed, the Warriors pivoted. But their Plan B raised more eyebrows than optimism.
Trade:
- Warriors receive: Kristaps Porzingis
- Hawks receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield
On paper, Porzingis is a dream fit in Golden State. He’s a floor-spacing big who can protect the rim - the kind of unicorn skillset that meshes beautifully with Curry’s gravity and Steve Kerr’s motion offense.
But that’s only if he can stay on the court. And that’s a massive “if.”
Porzingis has played just 17 games this season due to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that’s made it nearly impossible for him to string together consistent appearances. He’s missed the last 15 games, and there’s no clear timeline for when - or if - he’ll be able to contribute meaningfully this season.
So why trade Kuminga - a 21-year-old forward with upside and years of team control - for a player who might not even suit up 10 times the rest of the year?
That’s the question Warriors fans are asking right now. Kuminga may not have blossomed into a star yet, but he had value - either as a developmental piece or as a trade chip in a bigger deal down the line.
The Warriors held onto him through multiple trade cycles, perhaps hoping he’d break out under Kerr or become the centerpiece in a star-level trade. Instead, they moved him for what amounts to a high-risk rental.
Porzingis’ contract is expiring, which means Golden State will either have to re-sign him (a risky proposition given his health) or risk losing him for nothing. That’s a tough position to be in, especially when you just gave up one of your most promising young assets to get him.
A Smaller Move with Limited Upside
Trade:
- Warriors receive: 2026 second-round pick (from Lakers)
- Raptors receive: Trayce Jackson-Davis
This one’s more of a housekeeping move. Jackson-Davis was buried on the depth chart behind Draymond Green, Al Horford, and Quinten Post, and the arrival of Porzingis only pushed him further out of the rotation.
Flipping him for a second-round pick gives Golden State another dart to throw in the draft. It’s not a game-changer, but it’s something.
Where Do the Warriors Go From Here?
This deadline was supposed to be the moment the Warriors either reloaded for one last run or pivoted toward a new era. Instead, they’re stuck somewhere in between.
Curry is still elite when healthy, but he’s not healthy right now. Jimmy Butler is out for the season.
Draymond is aging. And the young core that was supposed to bridge the gap - Kuminga, Moody, Podziemski - is now one piece lighter.
Porzingis, if he can play, could help. But that’s a massive gamble, and one that could leave the Warriors with nothing to show for it if things don’t break their way.
In the end, Golden State didn’t just miss out on Giannis - they missed out on clarity. And with Curry’s window closing fast, that may be the biggest loss of all.