Assessing the Golden State Warriors’ Championship Aspirations
As the 2025-26 NBA season unfolds, we aim to critically assess some of the league’s prominent narratives each week, scrutinizing whether they reflect reality or are merely fabrications. Last week’s discussion centered around the New York Knicks potentially needing a player of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s caliber to achieve championship aspirations. This week, we turn our focus to the Golden State Warriors and the contention that their championship ambitions may be fading.
Transitioning Through Challenges
Through a mix of beneficial and unfortunate circumstances, the Warriors transitioned during Kevin Durant’s departure from the franchise. During the COVID-19 pandemic‘s peak, they managed to secure three lottery selections in consecutive drafts, paving the way for a new era of talent to bolster their championship core. The team decided to select James Wiseman as the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, followed by Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody at the seventh and fourteenth positions in the subsequent draft. Despite the presence of standout players like Tyrese Haliburton and Franz Wagner, the Warriors were steadfast in their decision-making.
The Warriors’ strategy appeared clear: their focus was solely on the timeline dictated by Stephen Curry’s prime. With potential for growth, they had the opportunity to trade those draft assets and salary to fortify their roster around veterans Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson—three players integral to their title victories in 2015, 2017, and 2018. However, they chose to hold onto their picks instead.
Current Challenges and Future Prospects
As it turned out, the Warriors’ veteran trio found their rhythm again, complemented by Andrew Wiggins, leading to another championship in 2022 with Wiseman, Kuminga, and Moody still developing in the background. Warriors owner Joe Lacob had previously communicated with The Athletic, suggesting that the organization was content to prioritize the growth of its young prospects rather than seeking out other star players.
“We really wanted these young guys to learn and develop alongside our stars,”
he remarked, suggesting that this long-term strategy would eventually benefit the team.
However, current circumstances paint a different picture. The Warriors now find themselves teetering around a .500 record (13-14), barely hanging onto a chance for the play-in tournament and four games shy of securing a playoff position. Curry continues to be a focal point of their offense, averaging around 30 points per match with impressive shooting efficiency, while Green remains vital to their defensive strength. In contrast, Thompson’s absence, combined with the trade of Wiggins for Jimmy Butler—who shares the same age as Green—has not propelled them forward as planned.
The aging core raises concerns; Curry will turn 38 in March, and the team’s depth is drastically thinning. The addition of veteran Al Horford, nearing 40, certainly does not make matters better. The once-promising draft picks, Wiseman and Kuminga, have not panned out as expected, with Wiseman deemed a failure and Kuminga receiving minimal playing time. Even undrafted player Pat Spencer seems to be contributing equivalently to Moody.
Trade Options and Future Outlook
The Warriors’ path to acquiring another star player looks bleak. High-profile targets like Giannis and Lauri Markkanen seem unattainable, and Anthony Davis‘ injury history makes him a risky choice. As it stands, the roster lacks the assets necessary to forge a favorable trade, placing them far behind championship contenders like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, and even the Los Angeles Lakers.
Faced with this reality, the future becomes uncertain. The Warriors currently exist a few tiers below true title contenders. They can either resign to their fate or aggressively pursue trade options, putting nearly every player on the market except for Curry and Green. A prospective acquisition, like Michael Porter Jr. from the Brooklyn Nets, could infuse the team with much-needed shooting and a dynamic presence capable of contributing in playoff scenarios.
Last season, the Warriors provided stiff competition to teams such as the Rockets and Timberwolves, but they appear less formidable this time around. Their offensive performance has plummeted to a bottom-tier level, averaging only 112.8 points per 100 possessions, significantly below expectations given Curry’s continued excellence. While holding a record of 9-9 in games with Curry, the team overall has not made sufficient strides.
Lacob has expressed his frustrations, and Coach Steve Kerr has candidly acknowledged his struggles this season, recognizing a failure to fulfill expectations. As time winds down on Curry’s remarkable career, the Warriors find themselves in a transitional phase, entering a period where their title aspirations are increasingly dim, yet their desire to remain competitive burns. It is becoming undeniable: the Golden State Warriors’ championship window has closed, largely verified by the facts at play. The stunning revelation indicates that this franchise may be on the path to decline, even as it attempts to cling to the remnants of its former glory.
