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A promising start for the Golden State Warriors quickly went awry this season, with Jimmy Butler's season-ending ACL tear accelerating the downturn in the Bay Area. Major changes could come next.
The Warriors have largely been immune to seismic changes over the last decade-plus. Stephen Curry has been the face of the franchise for well over a decade, and Steve Kerr is the second longest-tenured coach in the NBA. Right by Curry's side for the last 14 years has been Draymond Green.
While other faces have come and gone, from Kevin Durant to Klay Thompson, a true overhaul hasn't exactly happened in this era. It might not happen this offseason, but it would be hard to expect Golden State to simply stay the course.
Here's what you need to know about the pressing questions for the Warriors after their elimination.
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What's next for the Warriors?
The Warriors missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Here are the burning questions for Golden State entering the offseason.
Will Steve Kerr return?
Kerr just finished up his 12th season as head coach of the Warriors and cemented his legacy with the franchise long ago. Still, there are questions about his future.
Kerr coached this season on an expiring contract, so he will need a new deal to avoid becoming a free agent. Kerr said before the season that he was comfortable coaching without a deal and was fully aligned with the Warriors' front office, but he wouldn't commit to coaching beyond the season.
"If it’s meant to be for me to keep going, then I’m going to keep going," Kerr said. "And if it’s meant to be for the team to move on to somebody else, there will be nothing but gratitude and appreciation. So, this makes it easy for everybody. Just, let’s see where we are at the end of the year."
The end of the year has come. One would imagine it makes sense for both sides to continue their partnership at least as long as Curry is still playing, but those comments left the door open for a friendly split.
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Could Warriors target Giannis Antetokounmpo?
The Warriors were involved in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes before the trade deadline and were positioned well because they control so many of their draft assets in the years ahead. While the Bucks' decision to delay talks until the offseason could increase the number of teams in the mix, Golden State has the ability to put together a strong offer and can sell Antetokounmpo on the chance to play with an all-time great in Curry.
For the Warriors, a move to acquire Antetokounmpo may be more about the post-Curry era than winning a championship right now. Can Golden State win a title with Curry at 39, which he will turn late next season? Antetokounmpo will turn 32 next season, so he could give the franchise a star to build around for a few additional years when Curry decides he's done, even if he won't have the longevity the Lakers gained when they acquired Luka Doncic.
Stephen Curry age, injury concerns
As mentioned, Curry's age is something that is creeping into the conversation. He still plays like a star when he is on the floor, but he will be 39 when next season ends and is coming off a season in which persistent knee troubles plagued him throughout the second half.
The Warriors have no need to make any moves with Curry. It would be a surprise if he didn't finish out his career with Golden State, though surprises do happen. The question of whether Curry can shoulder the load he once did is a big one, however, and it could contribute to the pursuit of Antetokounmpo.
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Will Draymond Green be back?
Draymond Green has spent his entire 14-year career with the Warriors, but his name has surfaced in trade rumors in recent years. ESPN reported Green was part of Golden State's Antetokounmpo discussions with the Bucks, likely just to make the money work. Now, Green has a $27.6 million player option to make a decision about.
ESPN reports the expectation is Green will either opt-in or opt-out in favor of a new deal that reduces his salary. The latter option would make a 15th season with the Warriors more likely, while the former would leave Green with an expiring contract that would be easy to dangle in trade talks.
Green remains a defensive standout and fan favorite in the Bay Area, but an already shaky offensive game has slipped in recent years, and his on-court antics are always at risk of flaring up. If the Warriors decide to shake up the roster in some way, it could just be the right time for a parting of ways.
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When will Jimmy Butler return?
Butler suffered a season-ending ACL tear in January, dealing the Warriors a blow they couldn't recover from. It's far from guaranteed that he will be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season.
Not only would a nine-month timeline be unusually quick for an ACL tear in the NBA, but Butler is heading into is age-37 season. The Warriors are unlikely to rush a 37-year-old Butler back from a major injury, but an ordinary recovery timeline should allow him to return before the end of the calendar year.
Butler is set to make $56.2 million next season in the final year of his deal. As an expiring contract, Butler could technically be moved in a deal for another star. That may not be in the Warriors' plans, but it's worth keeping in mind in the event a star with a hefty salary comes available.
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