{"id":1945189,"date":"2026-05-20T12:00:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T09:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1945189"},"modified":"2026-05-20T12:00:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T09:00:50","slug":"the-warriors-offseason-questions-begin-with-who-stays-and-who-goes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1945189","title":{"rendered":"The Warriors\u2019 offseason questions begin with who stays and who goes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SAN FRANCISCO \u2014\u00a0Mike Dunleavy set the tone for his entire summer with the first answer in his postseason\u00a0news conference.<\/p>\n

In his opening statement, the Golden State Warriors general manager mentioned the multiple conversations that led to Steve Kerr returning for a 13th season as head coach. As a follow-up, Dunleavy was asked how many of those conversations centered around the roster and what could be done to improve a team that finished 37-45 in the regular season.<\/p>\n

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What followed was an explanation that will be tested over the next few months as Dunleavy and owner Joe Lacob attempt to reshape the roster over the next few months.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the grand scheme of things, not a lot about the roster,\u201d Dunleavy said. \u201cThis just isn\u2019t about the roster, frankly. This year, I don\u2019t think we came up short because of the talent on the roster. It was injuries and things we could control. Do we need to get better roster-wise? I think so, but we didn\u2019t get to a point where we played a team where the roster is better than ours. So for that reason, we\u2019re more focused on the stuff that we can control.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dunleavy believes in this roster, but his actions ultimately will speak louder than words. The Warriors\u2019 approach to the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft could be especially revealing. If Golden State keeps the selection instead of using it in a trade, it would have a chance to add the kind of young, athletic player this aging roster lacks. If Dunleavy loves this roster as much as he says,\u00a0then the Warriors\u2019 improvements will come on the margins after a season that fell short of expectations<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a closer look at each player\u2019s outlook \u2014 and the likelihood each returns next season.<\/p>\n

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Stephen Curry<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances to return:<\/strong> 100 percent<\/p>\n

He remains the centerpiece of everything the organization does. Dunleavy said during the same news conference that talks on an extension will begin this summer, and the Warriors want Curry to \u201cbe here for as long as he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Jimmy Butler<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances to return:<\/strong> 80 percent<\/p>\n

Butler is expected to miss a chunk of next season as he continues to recover from an ACL injury. He believes he\u2019ll be back, and the Warriors have made it clear to him that they want him to return, but if a prominent star appears on the market, there remains a possibility he could be moved.<\/p>\n

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Draymond Green<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances to return:<\/strong> 70 percent<\/p>\n

Dunleavy made it clear \u201cthe ball\u2019s in his court\u201d regarding Green\u2019s next step<\/a>, which is whether or not he will pick up his nearly $28 million player option for next year. Green could decide to work out a longer deal worth less money per year to stay with the Warriors, but his consistency on a nightly basis isn\u2019t the same as it once was. He struggled to make an impact night to night, and it is unclear what kind of money he would see if he decided to test the open market.<\/p>\n

Al Horford<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances to return:<\/strong> 65 percent<\/p>\n

Horford has to answer two questions to answer over the next few weeks: Does the 39-year-old\u00a0still want to play in the NBA? And does he want to pick up his $6 million player option and continue playing for the Warriors?<\/p>\n

Kerr made it clear he would like to have Horford back. Horford also said he enjoyed his season in the Bay, and his family was comfortable. The problem for Horford \u2014 who played only 45 games because of a variety of injuries and doesn\u2019t play both sides of back-to-backs anymore \u2014 is that the Warriors are no longer under the illusion they are still title contenders, which was one of the key reasons he wanted to play with Curry and company\u00a0in the first place. He has to answer one more question: Does he want to spend potentially his last year in the league playing for a team that isn\u2019t going to win another championship?<\/p>\n

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What You Should Read Next<\/div>\n
\n \"Al<\/p>\n
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\n Al Horford, Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is provide big boost in comeback win over Clippers\n <\/div>\n
\n Horford had Stephen Curry getting flashbacks, while Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is played his best game in a Warriors jersey.\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 50 percent<\/p>\n

The Warriors were optimistic Porzi\u0146\u0123is could stay healthy and produce after acquiring him from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield before February\u2019s trade deadline, but that wasn\u2019t meant to be as Porzi\u0146\u0123is played just 15 games and struggled to stay on the floor. He developed a strong relationship with vice president of player health and performance Rick Celebrini, but he was noncommittal about a return<\/a> while discussing his future at the end of the season. The biggest question surrounding Porzi\u0146\u0123is: What does his market look like after two injury-plagued years? The Warriors would be wise to wait out the rest of the league and see who they are bidding against before deciding whether or not to bring the big man back.<\/p>\n

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Moses Moody<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 99 percent<\/p>\n

Moody was in the midst of a solid season before suffering a gruesome ruptured patellar tendon injury that will force him to miss a big part of next season while he rehabs.<\/p>\n

Brandin Podziemski<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 90 percent<\/p>\n

Podziemski had a solid third season and provided durability while playing in every game. Dunleavy was open about the idea of trying to work out an extension during the season, though, as he noted, the numbers will have to work out for both sides. While Podziemski improved on the floor, a portion of the fanbase did not always support him given some of the public comments he made during the season. The young guard didn\u2019t let that negative feedback stop him as he averaged a career-high 13.8 points a game. The only way Podziemski\u2019s not there on opening night is if the Warriors include him in a megadeal for another star.<\/p>\n

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What You Should Read Next<\/div>\n
\n \"Brandin<\/p>\n
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\n Brandin Podziemski on his future with Warriors: \u2018I want to be here for the long term\u2019\n <\/div>\n
\n Podziemski says he wants to work on an extension with the Warriors, even as coach Steve Kerr’s future remains uncertain.\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

De\u2019Anthony Melton<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 50 percent<\/p>\n

Melton has a player option worth more than $3 million that he has to decide whether or not to pick up. The feeling across the league is that he will opt out in pursuit of a larger payday, but it remains to be seen what kind of market there will be for his services. Melton, who missed most of last season with an ACL injury, played well to start the season but seemed to fade down the stretch.<\/p>\n

Gui Santos<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 95 percent<\/p>\n

Santos broke through this season after Butler\u2019s injury and found a consistent place in Kerr\u2019s rotation. He\u2019ll be 24 next month and is happily entrenched with the Warriors after signing a new three-year deal at the end of last season. He continues to improve, and the coaching staff remains impressed by his consistent work ethic.<\/p>\n

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\n Will Gary Payton II (0) team up with Will Richard for the Golden State Warriors next season? (Justin Ford \/ Getty Images)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gary Payton II<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 50 percent<\/p>\n

Payton had a productive year off the bench, has a strong relationship with Curry and is a Kerr favorite, but with some roster changes looming, his presence on next year\u2019s team isn\u2019t a sure thing.<\/p>\n

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Seth Curry<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 30 percent<\/p>\n

Curry still has the ability to knock down shots, but he just couldn\u2019t stay on the floor because of various injuries. The younger Curry brother played in just 10 games. Having the Curry brothers playing together was a fun storyline, but Kerr needs someone off the bench who can be more reliable.<\/p>\n

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What You Should Read Next<\/div>\n
\n \"Steph<\/p>\n
\n
\n Steph and Seth Curry share the floor as NBA teammates: \u2018A dream come true\u2019\n <\/div>\n
\n Steph and Seth Curry, who have played in the NBA since 2009 and 2014, respectively, finally got to be teammates Sunday night.\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Quinten Post<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 15 percent<\/p>\n

Post\u2019s future largely hinges on what happens with Horford and Porzi\u0146\u0123is. Post fell out of the rotation at the end of the season, but Kerr has praised his talent at various points and offered optimism about his potential success in the league.<\/p>\n

Pat Spencer<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 40 percent<\/p>\n

The popular backup point guard created an opportunity for himself with solid play in December, but he couldn\u2019t find the consistency needed to stay in rotation the rest of the season. Kerr has a soft spot for Spencer, but his future with the Warriors remains uncertain \u2014 much like it was at the end of last season.<\/p>\n

Will Richard<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 95 percent<\/p>\n

The Florida alum drew praise from teammates and coaches early in the season for his ability to adapt quickly to the NBA game<\/a>. He made solid strides in his rookie year, but he hit a wall in the second half of the season and needs to have a strong summer-league performance to build momentum again heading into Year 2.<\/p>\n

Nate Williams<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 20 percent<\/p>\n

Williams is a hard-nosed player on a two-way deal, but his future with the Warriors is hazy. He showed flashes of solid play, but he likely will be on the fringe of the roster again.<\/p>\n

Malevy Leons<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 50 percent<\/p>\n

Leons earned respect from Kerr and his staff by playing through a painful wrist injury when the Warriors needed players to stack up minutes at the end of an injury-plagued season. Leons is a solid defender and has room to grow in his game. He would be intriguing on another two-way deal.<\/p>\n

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LJ Cryer<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 50 percent<\/p>\n

Cryer is an NBA-caliber scorer off the bench, but a hamstring injury didn\u2019t allow him to show what he is fully capable of doing over the final couple months of the season. He likely needs some more seasoning in the G League and in summer league, but his teammates and coaches like his offensive confidence.<\/p>\n

Charles Bassey\u00a0<\/b><\/b><\/h2>\n

Chances of returning:<\/strong> 20 percent<\/p>\n

Bassey played in just five games late in the season, but it was enough to show the organization that he could potentially bring a spark off the bench if given more opportunity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SAN FRANCISCO \u2014\u00a0Mike Dunleavy set the tone for his entire summer with the first answer in his postseason\u00a0news conference. In his opening statement, the Golden State Warriors general manager mentioned the multiple conversations that led to Steve Kerr returning for a 13th season as head coach. As a follow-up, Dunleavy was asked how many of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,241],"class_list":["post-1945189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nytimes-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1945189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1945189"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1945189\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1945189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1945189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1945189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}