The Golden State Warriors are at a crossroads. With a 13-15 record and a three-game skid dragging them down to ninth in the Western Conference, the urgency is real. This isn’t just a rough patch - it’s a team that knows its championship window won’t stay open forever and is actively looking for answers before the trade deadline.
The biggest issue? It’s right in the middle.
Golden State has struggled all season at the center position, and that weakness is becoming harder to ignore. Al Horford and Quinten Post have taken on the bulk of the minutes at the five, but neither has provided the kind of presence needed to go toe-to-toe with the elite bigs out West.
That’s left head coach Steve Kerr leaning heavily on smaller, more versatile lineups - a strategy that’s worked in the past, but isn’t holding up this time around.
The numbers back it up. The Warriors are near the bottom of the league in rebounding and blocked shots, and they rank dead last in points allowed in the paint.
That’s not just a stat line - that’s a flashing red light. Teams are attacking the rim at will, and Golden State simply doesn’t have the size or athleticism inside to stop them.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the front office is fully aware of the problem and actively working on a solution. “They’re looking for size and athleticism,” Haynes said, noting that the Warriors are focused on adding an athletic center who can help shore up their interior defense.
Three names have reportedly surfaced on Golden State’s radar: Daniel Gafford (Dallas Mavericks), Nic Claxton (Brooklyn Nets), and Robert Williams (Portland Trail Blazers). All three bring exactly what the Warriors are missing - rim protection, rebounding, and the kind of vertical athleticism that could change the dynamic of their defense.
Gafford is a high-energy big who can run the floor and finish lobs, while Claxton offers switchability and shot-blocking that would fit nicely into Kerr’s defensive schemes. Williams, when healthy, is one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the league. Any of the three would be a significant upgrade over the current rotation.
What’s clear is that the Warriors aren’t just window shopping. “I was told that they are really serious,” Haynes said. “They’re trying to do everything they can to try to get the team back to being of the caliber of a championship contenting-type.”
That level of urgency makes sense. The Western Conference is stacked, and Golden State is already five games back of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who currently sit in the sixth seed. Falling into the play-in tournament is a dangerous game - especially for a veteran team that’s built for deep playoff runs, not one-and-done scenarios.
Golden State still has the core pieces that brought them multiple titles - Steph Curry, Draymond Green (when available), and Klay Thompson - but the supporting cast needs help. If the front office can land the right big man, it could recalibrate the team on both ends of the floor. The trade deadline is still weeks away, but for the Warriors, the clock is already ticking.