The Golden State Warriors are entering the 2026–27 NBA season with a different outlook than the one that defined much of their championship era. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr appear to recognize that the franchise can no longer be viewed as an automatic championship favorite.
Golden State finished the previous season with a 37–45 record, and its offseason has been relatively quiet compared with the blockbuster moves made by several other contenders. The Warriors have largely focused on retaining their existing core rather than making a major splash in the trade or free-agent market.
Curry Is Taking a Realistic Approach
At 38, Curry remains the centerpiece of Golden State’s championship ambitions. However, the four-time champion has acknowledged the team’s current situation rather than publicly demanding major roster changes.
Curry has described himself as a realist, while continuing to express his desire to compete at the highest level. He has also pointed to injuries to key players such as Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody as factors that contributed to last season’s disappointing campaign.
The challenge now is determining whether the current roster is capable of giving Curry a realistic opportunity to compete for another championship.
Draymond Green Remains Committed
Green has also accepted the reality of the Warriors’ situation. He recently re-signed with Golden State on a one-year deal worth approximately $27.6 million, after opting out of his previous player option.
Green’s decision to remain with the franchise reinforces the belief that the veteran core still wants to compete together. At the same time, his contract does not include a no-trade clause, leaving the possibility of future roster changes if circumstances shift.
Steve Kerr Faces a Difficult Challenge
For Kerr, the task is no longer simply managing a championship-caliber roster. He must find ways to maximize an aging core while developing younger contributors and navigating the NBA’s salary-cap restrictions.
The Warriors’ current situation is particularly complicated because Curry remains an elite offensive player, while the team’s overall depth and consistency have not matched the standards established during its championship years.
The Dynasty Has Entered a Different Phase
Golden State’s recent struggles don’t erase what the Curry-Green-Kerr era accomplished. The trio helped deliver four NBA championships and transformed the league with an unprecedented emphasis on three-point shooting and motion offense.
But the Western Conference has become increasingly competitive, and several younger teams now possess deeper and more athletic rosters.
That leaves Golden State facing an uncomfortable question: Can this veteran core make one more serious championship run, or has the franchise entered the final stage of its dynasty?
The Bottom Line
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr appear to understand that the Warriors’ circumstances have changed. Golden State remains dangerous whenever Curry is healthy, but the team is no longer entering a season with the same championship expectations that surrounded it during its peak years.
For the Warriors, the 2026–27 season could be about finding the delicate balance between competing now and preparing for what comes next.