The Golden State Warriors are in the thick of a turbulent stretch, and frustration is beginning to spill over - not just from fans, but from the very top of the organization.
Over the weekend, a fan named Justin Dutari emailed team owner Joe Lacob to vent about the team’s early-season struggles. Dutari’s message was blunt: the Warriors, he said, need a “real second option,” and he pointed out that Jimmy Butler is “being underutilized” - a jab at the team’s roster construction and lack of size.
In a rare move that offered a glimpse behind the curtain, Lacob responded directly - and quickly. His reply? Honest and telling.
“You can't be as frustrated as me. I am working on it.
It's complicated. Style of play.
Coaches' desires regarding players. League trends.
Jimmy is not the problem.”
The exchange, later posted to Reddit by Dutari and confirmed by the team, underscores the mounting pressure in the Bay Area. The Warriors are sitting at 13-14, eighth in the Western Conference - not exactly where they expected to be with championship aspirations still tied to the twilight of Steph Curry’s prime.
Head coach Steve Kerr addressed the email exchange on Tuesday, brushing it off publicly but acknowledging the shared tension.
“We're all frustrated,” Kerr said. “Joe is frustrated.
I'm frustrated. Steph and Dray, everybody’s frustrated.
This is kind of how the league works.”
Kerr also voiced concern about the public posting of private emails, but emphasized that the relationship between him and Lacob remains strong.
“Joe supports me 100%. I support him.
We have a great connection. We've had so much continuity here.
Our stable environment in our organization is one of our strengths. ... So, it's not a big deal.”
Still, the timing of the email - and the fact that it resonated with so many fans - speaks volumes. Golden State has dropped two straight, both games where Curry did everything in his power to keep them afloat.
He poured in 48 points in a 136-131 loss to the Trail Blazers on Sunday, and before that, dropped 39 in a 127-120 loss to the Timberwolves. Two vintage Curry performances, two losses.
That’s the kind of math that doesn’t sit well with fans - or ownership.
The issue isn’t effort from the stars. Curry is still playing like a top-tier MVP candidate.
Draymond Green, when available, brings his usual defensive edge and leadership. But the supporting cast has been inconsistent, and Kerr’s rotations and offensive schemes are under the microscope.
There’s a growing sense that the team hasn’t yet figured out how to maximize the pieces around Curry - and time isn’t exactly on their side.
Lacob’s email hints at the complexity behind the scenes - roster decisions aren't just about talent. They're about fit, style, coaching preferences, and league trends.
And while he made it clear that Jimmy Butler - whose name was dropped in the fan’s email - isn’t the issue, the broader message was unmistakable: changes are being considered. But they won’t be simple.
The Warriors get a chance to right the ship on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. It’s not just another game - it’s another chance to show they’re still in the fight.
Because if there’s one thing that’s clear from Lacob’s rare public candor, it’s that the clock is ticking on this era of Warriors basketball. And everyone - from the fanbase to the front office - knows it.