The last image of the Warriors was Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green embracing after their play-in elimination, a moment many interpreted as the end of an era. It's not, at least not yet. Golden State has re-signed Kerr, maintains its core, and faces Curry's 18th season with one fixed idea: make the most of the remaining years of one of the greatest players in history.
Where They're Coming From: Injuries and Play-In Exit
The 2025-26 season derailed due to injuries. The Warriors were 25-19 and Jimmy Butler was playing his best basketball when he tore the ACL in his right knee on January 19 against Miami. Days later, Curry began suffering right knee issues that caused him to miss 27 consecutive games. He finished with 43 games played, the lowest total of his career in a full season, though when healthy he averaged 26.6 points on 39.3% from three-point range.
Golden State finished 37-45, tenth in the West. In the play-in they beat the Clippers but fell to Phoenix (111-96), with a very uncomfortable Curry: 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting.
The Offseason: Continuity and a Rookie
The Warriors tried. According to general manager Mike Dunleavy, they explored trades for LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Jaylen Brown, and came up empty. The result is a roster nearly identical to last season's.
Kerr re-signed for multiple years in May, and Kristaps Porziņģis signed a two-year, $40 million deal. He arrived in February and only shared the court with Curry in five games. They also re-signed Green (one year), Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton (two years, after his best season with 12.3 points) and Gary Payton II. Georges Niang and Brandon Williams arrive, while Seth Curry, Quinten Post and Pat Spencer depart.
Yaxel Lendeborg, The New Face
The big news is Yaxel Lendeborg, selected 11th overall in the draft. The power forward was teammates with Aday Mara at Michigan, which won the NCAA championship, and this summer was MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League, which the Warriors won. He arrives at 23 years old, turning 24 soon, with the promise of bringing energy to one of the league's oldest rosters. Kerr will have to decide whether he starts alongside Green or comes off the bench.
The Rotation
The expected starting five is Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Green and Porziņģis, pending Butler's return, who is expected back between January and February and says he's ahead of schedule. Off the bench, Kerr will have Lendeborg, Melton, Horford, Payton II, Niang and Will Richard.
NBA.com points to Podziemski as a breakout candidate. He played all 82 games, averaged 13.8 points and was second on the team in total points and three-pointers, only behind Curry. Since March he's exceeded 20 points in half his games.
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The Season's Big Questions
The first is Curry's health. He'll turn 39 in March. He says he has no limitations, though he admits his knee will require management.
The second is Butler. He'll be 37 when he returns from an ACL tear. Before the injury he was averaging 20.0 points and the team was functioning; the big question is what condition he returns in.
The third is that the core has never played together. According to NBA.com, Butler and Porziņģis haven't yet shared the court, and Curry, Green and Porziņģis only played together in four games.
And the fourth is Curry's future. Starting August 29 he can sign a two-year, $136.7 million extension, and the franchise is confident he'll retire in Golden State.
The Schedule: Key Dates
The season opens October 21 in Los Angeles against Dončić's Lakers. On November 5, Klay Thompson returns to San Francisco wearing a Heat jersey. On January 17, the Warriors visit Miami, where Butler could reappear against his former team, now with Giannis.
On February 5, Curry returns to Charlotte, his hometown, against the rookie who broke his all-time three-pointer record: Kon Knueppel. On March 24 LeBron arrives with the Sixers, and on April 6, down the stretch, the rematch against the Suns.
Piratas' Prediction
With Curry and Butler healthy, this team can compete with almost anyone. The problem is that hasn't happened in a long time, and the roster hasn't been strengthened enough to compensate. NBA.com projects a six-win improvement. Our prediction: between 41 and 46 wins and another play-in season, with the possibility of making the jump to the playoffs if Butler returns to form in the second half of the season. It's probably one of Curry's last chances to compete for something big.