Hanifan’s offseason outlook: Evaluating the Golden State Warriors’ 2026 offseason

Golden State Warriors Offseason — (Mandatory Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The calendar has turned to September. You know what that means, right?! Our offseason outlook series is back for the third-straight year!

Hot Hot Hoops senior writer Matt Hanifan will provide his take on the offseasons of all 30 teams for the next 30 days! We will be going in alphabetical order, beginning with the Eastern Conference. Let’s look at the Golden State Warriors’ summer!

Previous offseason outlooks:

Evaluating the Golden State Warriors’ 2026 offseason:

Additions: Brandon Williams

Subtractions: Pat Spencer, Seth Curry

Re-signed: Draymond Green, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II

Draft: Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 11 overall)

Hanifan’s outlook: We’re now approaching the end of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green’s careers with the Warriors. Their best opportunity to make a title run was in 2024-25 after acquiring Jimmy Butler. Unfortunately, Curry got hurt and the Warriors were bounced in the West semis to the Minnesota Timberwolves. A Jimmy Butler torn ACL, a nagging knee injury to Stephen Curry and a torn patellar tendon to Moses Moody curtailed Golden State’s season last year, finishing 37-45.

Ultimately, the Warriors decided to run it back after a failed attempt to acquire LeBron James this summer. James and Curry together would have been euphoric. Alas, they re-signed a handful of free agents, namely Green — who opted out to create flexibility to sign James — Porzingis and Melton. Steve Kerr also pump-faked potential retirement, returning to the sidelines for two more years.

Unless Mike Dunleavy sweet-talks his way into another co-star, the Warriors are sunk — from a contention standpoint.

Will they still be competitive? Absolutely. They have the greatest shooter ever in Curry, whose cumulative impact can’t be quantified. An optimistic timeline return for Butler is January. Until then, I think it will be difficult for them to make any earth-shattering noise, even though Yaxel Lendeborg, Moody, Melton and Porzingis are all viable contributors (when healthy).