Following their play in loss to the Phoenix Suns, the Golden State Warriors’ 2025-26 season came to a close and with it came many unanswered questions surrounding the current state of the once-dominant team. This season, the slowly growing issues and inconsistencies that have plagued the Warriors over the years became increasingly difficult to overlook, such as roster instability and an aging core.
From the mid-2010s to early 2020s, the Warriors established a dynasty unlike anything the NBA had ever seen. In 2014, the Warriors hired five-time NBA champion point guard Steve Kerr as head coach to lead a budding young team. Kerr’s first season ended with a 67-15 record and the team’s first championship title in 40 years. The season’s unexpected success marked the beginning of Golden State’s dynasty. At the center of the team’s core was the immense talents and cohesive chemistry between Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. In eight consecutive years from 2015-2022, the Warriors made six appearances in the NBA Finals, winning four championships. Curry’s shooting and offensive playmaking abilities played a central role in the team’s accomplishments and earned him back-to-back MVP awards, becoming the league’s unanimous MVP in 2016. Thompson emerged alongside him as one of the greatest shooters of all time, holding major records including most points in a quarter (37), most 3-pointers in a game (14), and most 3-pointers in a quarter (9). The two quickly became regarded as the best shooting duo in NBA history, and the unique offense they built made an immeasurable impact on the NBA and the game of basketball as a whole. Green became the backbone of the Warriors’ defense, and he proved to be one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA, capable of guarding all five positions. However, over the years, the Warriors have exhibited a gradual decline.
After finishing the 2025-26 season 37-45 and missing the playoffs following a 15-point play-in loss to the Suns, Golden State is now forced to face the harsh reality that the franchise is at a crossroads. Throughout the season, the Warriors failed to find a reliable rhythm, and most moments of cohesive defense or shooting streaks were short-lived. This season highlighted the team’s most damaging issue: its age. Curry remains one of the best players in the NBA, and he still acts as the engine that drives the Warriors’ offense; however, the burden of carrying the team’s offensive load has grown increasingly over recent years. Curry’s disproportionate share of shooting and offensive playmaking is reaching unsustainable levels. Although he has always been able to act as the team’s backbone, the increasing workload he faces each year is becoming extremely difficult to keep up with as he prepares to enter his 17th NBA season. Golden State’s roster instability has contributed greatly to this issue. The Warriors faced a lot of difficulty this season in maintaining a reliable lineup, with key players missing games due to injuries, mid-season trades, and team roles constantly shifting. This overall lack of continuity prevented the Warriors from developing chemistry, which ironically used to be one of their most reliable traits.
As Golden State begins rebuilding during the offseason, a potential leadership change is looming. Kerr’s previous $35M contract extension has expired, and the organization is experiencing a period of uncertainty as new contract negotiations begin. Kerr’s coaching has been the foundation of the Warriors’ success over the years, and his departure would mark the end of the organization’s most successful era. A transition of this magnitude would only add to the inconsistency of an already struggling team. While the core of Curry and Green would remain, the style of play Kerr established with them, which the Warriors still rely on today, would be at risk under a new head coach. Kerr’s influence on the Warriors’ dynasty can’t be overstated, and as a Warriors fan, I am highly doubtful that there is any coach who could bring this team back to its former prestige. Whether or not Kerr extends his contract, the Warriors are about to enter a major rebuilding period. I feel with absolute certainty that with Kerr as their leader, they will be able to navigate the transition successfully, but a new head coach might be more than Golden State can handle.