The Golden State Warriors have been the NBA’s best team over the past decade, joining the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs as the 21st century’s standard-bearers. Unfortunately, all dynasties must come to an end. Now preparing for theirs, they head into the 2025-26 season with three burning questions.
3 Burning Questions For Warriors Heading Into 2025-26 Season
Where Do They Go From Here?
It was all good just a week ago.
In 2023-24, the Warriors were sputtering prior to All-Star Weekend. For three straight months, they finished with a sub-.500 record primarily due to a leaky defense. However, their turnaround didn’t just coincide with them tightening up those screws.
2021 No. 7 pick Jonathan Kuminga’s play was a big part of it too. His iso scoring (and on-ball defense) ultimately helped the 27-26 Warriors go 19-10 for the rest of the season. By getting 10 games over .500, Golden State was able to get into the Play-In Tournament.
Now, Kuminga isn’t the right fit. While Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wants him to zig, he’s better off zagging. To both parties credit, they attempted a compromise with him being featured in the second unit. After starting three games, he was moved to the bench; Golden State went 10-2 contests. Then Kuminga was re-inserted in the starting lineup; the Warriors went 2-5 in those games.
There were myriad factors contributing to this, but Kuminga stuck out like a sore thumb. This tainted the perception of him for the remainder of the season. The fact that he would miss two months with an ankle injury didn’t help, especially as the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler in that time.
Ideally, Kuminga would’ve been able to leave as a restricted free agent this offseason. He’s in an imperfect marriage that’s become increasingly tense and two teams —the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are hot on his trail. However, Golden State is holding onto him for right now.
Kuminga could sign his qualifying or extension offer. He could even choose to holdout, hoping to manipulate the trade winds. If the Warriors do have him though, he’ll likely come off the bench, which he’s not a fan of.
What Will Year 2 Of The Jimmy Butler Experience Be Like?
Butler has a reputation for wearing out his welcome with teams or just jumping ship. That’s why he’s a six-time All-Star on his fifth team. In fact, Butler lasted less than two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers. With that in mind, Stephen Curry only has two years left on his contract.
Based on Butler’s history, they have a 60 percent chance that he’ll still be there. If he doesn’t bump heads with anyone or see a better opportunity elsewhere, he probably will. If so though, there’s still the matter of his performance.
Last season, the Warriors went 23-7 with Butler during the regular season as he averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game. His playmaking and physical presence were applauded. Yet, his outside shooting has never fit Golden State’s offensive philosophy.
Will Butler’s style still work for them in Year 2?
Will They Make A Blockbuster Trade?
In their quest to win another ring before the greatest player in the history of their franchise retires, the Warriors could try to make yet another blockbuster trade.
Indeed, Golden State has been linked to a number of All-NBA players over the past couple of years. With that in mind, never say, never but Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is more likely than not a pipe dream for the Warriors. Nevertheless, with Antetokounmpo’s future undecided, they do have a fighter’s chance of acquiring the two-time NBA MVP. They already have Butler to entice the Bucks but a deal is much more feasible if they have Kuminga under contract as well.
Yet, Golden State is more likely to attain Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James if they did make an in-season blockbuster trade. There likely aren’t many players they would move Butler for, but the four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA MVP is one. Besides, it’s not like this hasn’t been discussed before. The season before last, the Warriors called up the Lakers to see if James would want to switch sides,
He wasn’t ready then but he’s more amenable to a change of scenery than he’s been in awhile
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