The Golden State Warriors are navigating an offseason marked by significant changes, headlined by the departure of long-time guard Klay Thompson. For the first time since 2011, the Warriors will commence a new season without one of the "Splash Brothers" in their ranks. Thompson's move to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal in July closes a storied chapter in Golden State's history.
Despite Thompson's departure, the Warriors retain their core of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, alongside head coach Steve Kerr, maintaining a semblance of continuity amid the transformations. Curry and Green, whose leadership remains pivotal within the organizational structure, continue to heavily influence the team dynamics as they adapt to the evolving roster.
New Additions and Potential Moves
Golden State wasted no time reconfiguring their squad, bringing in players like Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, and De'Anthony Melton. Buddy Hield, renowned for his scoring capabilities, expressed his enthusiasm about joining the Warriors, stating, "I watched these guys play my whole [time] in college, even in the pros. When they play, they are a fun team to watch because of the ball movement and the way Steph, Draymond, Andrew [Wiggins], and the way coach Steve [Kerr] coaches. I just feel that it’s a good fit, but everything takes time to learn it. It shouldn’t be that hard."
Further bolstering their roster, the Warriors held discussions with the Utah Jazz about acquiring All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen. However, talks stalled due to the high asking price — a package that included second-year guard and All-Rookie Brandin Podziemski and multiple draft picks. Ultimately, Golden State deemed the proposed deal unbalanced and halted negotiations, showing caution about parting with budding talents like Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga without an overwhelmingly favorable offer.
Financial Maneuvering
The Warriors are also focused on managing their finances to avoid hefty luxury tax penalties, which have amounted to $677 million since the 2013-14 season. A strategic move involved releasing Chris Paul before his $30 million contract became guaranteed, allowing the team to reposition beneath the $178.7 million luxury tax threshold. This financial prudence reflects the team’s ongoing efforts to maintain competitiveness without incurring prohibitive costs.
Contract Extensions and Youth Development
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, they face important decisions on contract extensions for their younger players. Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody are poised to step into larger roles, and both are eligible for five-year extensions in October. Should negotiations stall, they could become unrestricted free agents in the future. Kuminga's potential deal could reach up to $224 million, signifying his value to the franchise’s long-term plans.
General Manager Mike Dunleavy emphasized the franchise’s commitment to their young talents, saying, “We want those guys here. We believe in them, we drafted them.” His sentiments echo the Warriors' confidence in their developmental prospects and hint at continuity amid change.
Changes in Coaching Staff
The Warriors' support structure is also evolving. Following the departure of Kenny Atkinson to Cleveland and the passing of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, Golden State recruited Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse. Stotts brings a reputation for offensive expertise, while Stackhouse, who honed his defensive acumen over five seasons as head coach at Vanderbilt, adds a robust strategic component to the coaching team.
The forthcoming season will be a test of the Warriors' adaptability and resilience. With iconic figures like Curry, Green, and Kerr still at the helm, coupled with promising new additions and emerging young talents, the team aims to remain competitive in a redefining phase. As Stephen Curry succinctly put it, “I want to win. Let's put it this way, it's a long-winded way of saying that if it is a situation where you're a bottom feeder and it's just because you want to stay there, I'd have a hard time with that. But I don't think that's going to be the reality.”
This mixture of seasoned leadership, strategic acquisitions, and prudent financial management could very well set the stage for another exciting chapter in Warriors history. The internal sentiment, described by a front office source as "actually really fun," suggests optimism and a renewed sense of purpose as they head into the new season.