Pre-Draft Outlook
Following their third straight appearance in the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament — a stretch where the Warriors made a run to the conference semifinals in 2025 but missed the playoffs in 2024 and 2026 — the Warriors announced a new two-year deal for head coach Steve Kerr. The extension is a clear indication that Golden State remains in win-now mode around Steph Curry and Draymond Green, rather than looking toward the future. However, the front office enters the offseason facing a slew of potential free agents while two key rotation players — Jimmy Butler III (ACL) and Moses Moody (patella) — are currently dealing with long-term knee injuries.
The Way to Go
The Warriors hold a lottery pick, No. 11 overall, for the first time since 2021. That year, they selected Jonathan Kuminga (No. 7) and Moody (No. 14), following the 2020 selection of James Wiseman (No. 2). Those picks represented the franchise’s ill-fated “two timelines” strategy — an attempt to develop elite young talent for the future while remaining a perennial title contender. Now, in 2026, the trio of Curry, Green, and Butler III (assuming a midseason return) are all in their mid-to-late 30s, which again raises the question of whether Golden State should use the 11th pick on a young prospect or package it for an established veteran. If the Warriors keep the pick, keep an eye on Yaxel Lendeborg. The 6-foot-9 forward helped lead Michigan to the NCAA title and will turn 24 by the time his rookie NBA season begins.
— Brian Martin
Under Contract
G: Brandin Podziemski
G: Moses Moody
G: Stephen Curry
G: Will Richard
F: Jimmy Butler III
F: Gui Santos
Free Agents
G: De’Anthony Melton (Player Option)
G: Gary Payton II (Unrestricted)
G: LJ Cryer (Two-way)
G: Nate Williams (Restricted)
G: Pat Spencer (Restricted)
G: Seth Curry (Unrestricted)
F: Malevy Leons (Two-way)
F: Draymond Green (Player Option)
C-F: Charles Bassey (Unrestricted)
C-F: Al Horford (Player Option)
F-C: Kristaps Porziņģis (Unrestricted)
C: Quinten Post (Restricted)