The Golden State Warriors are staring at a season that could hinge on Steph Curry carrying the load once again, and the margin for error already looks razor thin.
Golden State’s offseason did little to change that outlook. The front office mostly stuck with players the team had already had under contract, and that left plenty of people unimpressed. Hoops Habit’s Cal Durrett didn’t mince words about how the summer has gone for the Warriors.
“The Golden State Warriors' offseason is quickly going off the rails, with them having done little to improve thus far. The Warriors failing to improve their roster this summer should come as a massive disappointment to star Steph Curry," Hoops Habit's Cal Durrett wrote.
One name now sitting squarely in the middle of the conversation is Jimmy Butler. Butler is coming off an ACL injury he suffered last season, and Golden State is expected to watch closely before deciding what comes next. If he shows he’s healthy enough, the Warriors could look at him as a trade piece.
“I know there's been a whole bunch of discussion dating back to last trade deadline about Jimmy Butler. Him coming off the ACL he could function as a huge expiring contract in a trade.
I don't think they're operating with day to day. But if player/acquisition comes to the four, they could use that," ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said.
Sean Deveney of Heavy.com laid out the range of outcomes for the Warriors, and in his view, Butler is the most likely player to be moved if things go sideways.
“The Warriors could get off to a surprising start with good showings from their young players and new guys, then get Butler back and slingshot into the playoffs in the second half of the year. That’s the hope. Or they could sputter out of the gate, see their aging veterans suffer more injuries and sell off pieces at the deadline-and Butler is the big one,” Deveney wrote.
Golden State had envisioned Butler and Curry as a major duo when it traded for him a couple of years ago. Butler’s injury last year slowed that idea down, and with the Warriors not looking like a safe bet to reach the playoffs, the possibility of moving on from him is very much in play.
In Other News...
Steve Kerr Just Reopened A Warriors Debate Fans Never Expected
Steve Kerr did not exactly close the door on one of the most surprising what-ifs around the Warriors. Even with years of Finals baggage between the sides, Kerr made clear he would have been open to the idea of LeBron James wearing Golden State colors, a stance that sits a little differently with a fan base that remembers every twist of that rivalry. The concept never moved beyond the realm of possibility, but it was still notable to hear Kerr frame it as something he could support rather than dismiss outright.
The larger reality, though, was always about fit and timing, and the Warriors were never in a position to offer James the clearest road to another title run. He ended up with the Philadelphia 76ers instead, leaving Golden State to keep navigating an older roster and the ongoing strain of key players being out. It is the kind of conversation that reopens old arguments without changing the present, but it does underline how the Warriors keep searching for answers as the roster turns over around Curry and Kerr. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Send An Early Roster Signal Fans Probably Didnt Expect
The Warriors last round of additions already offered an early glimpse at how they may be sorting out the back end of the roster. Brandon Williams and Georges Niang were both signed last month, but the path each player took into camp looks very different. Williams had a strong season in Dallas, while Niang is coming off an injury-riddled year that kept him out entirely, which is why the paperwork attached to the two signings stood out so much.
Golden States choice to favor Niang in that setup was a bit of a head-scratcher on the surface, especially given how little he has played recently. It has created a small but meaningful roster and payroll wrinkle for a team that usually leaves itself little room for missteps, and it puts extra attention on how the Warriors manage the rest of the roster from here. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Could Revisit Ben Simmons If One Roster Question Changes
Ben Simmons remains a name to keep in the back pocket for Golden State, even after the initial buzz around him has cooled. The Warriors have already taken a long look at what he offers in theory - size, ball handling and the kind of defensive versatility that can help a roster in different ways - and his current stop in Sacramento keeps the door open for another evaluation if things go well early.
For the Warriors, the appeal is tied to both Simmons ability to rebuild his value and to how their own roster looks down the line. If he can stabilize his standing with the Kings, Golden State could circle back, especially if the teams future makeup changes in a way that clears a more natural role for him. Right now, it is less a done deal than a possibility worth tracking, but it is exactly the sort of possibility the Warriors have shown they are willing to revisit. [Read more 🡒]