Joe Lacob’s tenure as owner of the Golden State Warriors has been a tale of transformation-and now, turbulence. There’s no denying the role he played in helping lift a long-struggling franchise into the NBA’s elite.
He bought in, invested, and helped build a culture that produced four championships and redefined modern basketball. But now, as the Warriors sit in a murky middle ground-no longer dominant, not quite rebuilding-Lacob’s involvement in basketball operations is drawing increased scrutiny.
Let’s rewind. The Warriors’ dynasty was sparked by a stroke of draft fortune: Stephen Curry.
That pick changed everything. And while Lacob deserves credit for fostering the environment that allowed the team to flourish, Curry’s rise is the foundation the franchise was built on.
Still, as the years went on, Lacob's influence on basketball decisions began to grow-and not always in ways that aligned with the coaching staff or front office.
The “two timelines” strategy is a prime example. The idea was ambitious: compete for championships while simultaneously developing a new generation of stars.
In theory, it was a way to extend the dynasty without a full teardown. In practice, it’s been a mixed bag-and that’s putting it kindly.
James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga were key pieces of that plan. Both were high-upside prospects, and both were players Lacob reportedly championed.
But there was a disconnect. The coaching staff and front office weren’t as sold on their fit, especially in the context of a veteran team still chasing titles.
Wiseman, taken No. 2 overall, never found his footing in Golden State. He was eventually traded, and now, just a few years after being drafted, he’s not even on an NBA roster.
Kuminga has shown flashes-his athleticism and scoring ability are real-but he’s also expressed frustration with his role and has reportedly requested a trade, suggesting a deeper misalignment with Steve Kerr’s system.
This isn’t uncommon in the NBA. Owners get a taste of success and start to believe they have the Midas touch.
But the best-run franchises tend to let basketball people make basketball decisions. In the Warriors’ case, Lacob’s growing involvement may have disrupted the delicate balance that made them so successful in the first place.
Bob Myers, who helped architect the dynasty, is gone. Kerr remains, but the roster feels caught between competing timelines and identities.
Right now, the Warriors are stuck in the NBA’s dreaded middle tier-too talented to tank, not consistent enough to contend. Even before the recent injury to Jimmy Butler, it was clear Golden State wasn’t on the same level as teams like the Thunder or Nuggets. Now, with Butler sidelined and no clear path to a major roster upgrade, their playoff hopes look increasingly slim unless something dramatic changes-either from within or via a blockbuster trade that, at this point, feels far-fetched.
Lacob’s desire to be hands-on is understandable. He’s passionate, competitive, and wants to win.
But in trying to steer the ship himself, he may have inadvertently slowed it down. The Warriors' dynasty isn’t over just because they’re not winning titles every year-but the margin for error in maintaining greatness is razor-thin.
And when an owner starts making decisions that override the basketball minds in the building, that margin gets even smaller.
Joe Lacob deserves credit for helping build one of the greatest runs in NBA history. But if the Warriors are going to write another championship chapter, they’ll need to find their identity again-and that might mean the owner taking a step back and letting the basketball people cook.