Golden State Warriors' Top 3 Priorities During 2026 NBA Offseason
Injuries defined the 2026-27 season for the Golden State Warriors, with Jimmy Butler suffering a torn ACL in January and Steph Curry missing time with knee issues.
With Curry heading into the final year of his contract, Butler probably out to start 2026-27, and a good but not great roster, what does the franchise's future look like as it heads into the 2026 offseason?
3. Will Coach Steve Kerr Be Back?
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Steve Kerr guided Curry and the Warriors to six NBA Finals and four championships. He started with the team in 2014, but his contract expires after this season.
Many around the league think he'll choose to move on, be it retirement or to pursue other opportunities.
For Golden State, how feasible is a one-year run under a new coach and system? Where does Curry stand on this one, and if this is his final year, can Kerr and the Warriors reach a short-term arrangement? Is that even interesting to the 60-year-old at this stage in his career?
We don't have the answers yet, nor do the Warriors, who have clear priorities to sort through over the next few weeks and months.
2. Star Hunting?
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Curry's decision will impact the team's plan with Draymond Green, who has a $27.7 million player option. He can opt out and re-sign on a two- or three-year deal at a lower number, but only if the franchise is willing—and Green, 36, only makes beyond 2026-27 alongside Curry.
Regardless, Golden State should be able to use its non-taxpayer mid-level exception at about $15 million, which would trigger a first-apron hard cap at about $210.5 million. The money would be tight; perhaps Al Horford or De'Anthony Melton opt out of their contracts, increasing flexibility, but the Warriors could have enough to chase an elite player like LeBron James.
Why would James, earning over $50 million from the Los Angeles Lakers, take a substantial pay cut? The reality is that the Lakers may spend their resources elsewhere to build around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Other franchises with cap room, like the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls, are rebuilding and far from high-level competition.
James, also near the end of his Hall-of-Fame career, could help the Warriors make a final run with Curry, Green and, when healthy, Butler.
Another possibility might be Kawhi Leonard, depending on how his situation with the LA Clippers ultimately unfolds. If circumstances were to make him an unrestricted free agent, he'd jump to the top of Golden State's wish list.
James and Leonard would both command more than $15 million in an open market, but barring an unexpected opportunity to land a star of that caliber, the Warriors can still make a compelling argument for a one-year run.
1. End of the Steph Curry Era?
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Steph Curry will already go down as one of the NBA's all-time greatest players, but how much longer does he want to continue, especially as his right knee is wearing down?
The Warriors have the 38-year-old under contract at $62.6 million. Is this the end of an incredible run, or does he intend to continue beyond 2026-27? It's a personal decision he needs to make that determines the franchise's entire direction.
Anticipating the potential end, the Warriors have nearly all of their contracts expiring after next season. That has been a driving factor in the team's decision not to pay Jonathan Kuminga long-term.
Moses Moody, who is out with a serious knee injury, will earn eight figures in 2027-28 ($13.4 million). Even recently extended Gui Santos has a team option, and Will Richard's $2.5 million is non-guaranteed.
Outside of their 2026 first-round pick, the Warriors can hold the line with immense cap room in July 2027. Still, that number diminishes if Curry is earning his max at a projected $65.7 million—and would he be motivated to return without a viable roster?
How hard the Warriors work to improve the team for next season will depend on the answers to these questions. One-year commitments may only get the team so far. If Curry is heading into his finale, he'll want to play for a winner.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus.
