The Golden State Warriors are at a crossroads - and it’s not just about wins and losses. It’s about sustainability. Right now, the team’s entire offensive engine still runs through Stephen Curry, and when he's not on the floor, things get shaky fast.
Curry’s missed five games already this season due to a combination of illness, a knee issue, and a right quad contusion. And the numbers tell a pretty clear story: when he plays, the Warriors’ offense hums at a 117.1 offensive rating.
When he doesn’t? That rating drops to 107.9.
That’s not just a dip - that’s a cliff dive for a team with championship aspirations.
This isn’t a new problem for Golden State. We saw it last season when Curry went down with a Grade 1 calf strain.
The offense looked disjointed, unsure of itself, and overly reliant on isolation plays. Without Curry’s gravity - the way he pulls defenders out of position just by existing on the court - the Warriors lose the fluidity and spacing that’s defined their dynasty.
And now, with Curry expected to miss more time due to that quad contusion, the Warriors are staring at a reality they’ve long tried to avoid: what happens when Steph isn’t available?
That’s why the conversation around a major trade isn’t just smoke - it’s fire. Golden State needs another high-level offensive option who can carry the load when Curry sits, and who can complement him when he’s on the floor. Jimmy Butler is a name that’s been floated, and while he brings toughness, defense, and playoff pedigree, he isn’t always the aggressive scorer the Warriors might need when Curry is sidelined.
Names like Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, and Anthony Davis have also been mentioned as potential targets. Each brings something different to the table: LaVine offers explosive scoring and shot creation, Markkanen brings size and shooting, and Davis - when healthy - is a two-way force who can dominate both ends.
The big caveat with Davis, of course, is availability. He’s battled injuries throughout his career, and the Warriors already have enough uncertainty on that front.
The biggest hurdle in making any of these moves? Timing.
Jonathan Kuminga, who would likely be a key piece in any blockbuster deal, can’t be traded until January 15. That puts the front office in a bit of a holding pattern - unless they’re willing to get creative or look elsewhere in the meantime.
But if the trade market remains active into mid-January, Golden State will have a real opportunity to reshape its roster in a meaningful way. This isn’t about panic.
It’s about planning. Curry is still elite, but he’s 37, and the team can’t afford to keep gambling on his health and heroics to carry them through an 82-game season and a deep playoff run.
The Warriors have always been at their best when they’re proactive. If they want to avoid a repeat of last year’s struggles without Curry, the time to act is fast approaching.