Steve Kerr confirmed his return to Golden State this offseason, but the Warriors now face a 2026-27 campaign without realistic title expectations. Stephen Curry, the 38-year-old point guard, is under contract for only one more season, and the league’s buzz over LeBron James’ decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers highlights the marquee free-agent the Warriors cannot replace. Golden State was a front-runner in the James pursuit, alongside the Sixers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves, yet never entertained the notion that the superstar would don a Warriors jersey.
The franchise’s recent history mirrors the start of the 2019-20 season. Klay Thompson missed an entire year after a torn ACL and another after an Achilles injury. Kevin Durant departed after three seasons to join the Brooklyn Nets. Curry broke his hand in the fourth game of a season and missed four months. The Warriors finished that COVID-shortened campaign with a league-worst 15-50 record, earned the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, selected James Wiseman, and saw him traded after two and a half seasons before exiting the league.
This iteration is not as dire. Curry remains at the top of his game despite a lingering knee issue that sidelined him for two months last season. The roster now includes promising young pieces such as guard Brandin Podziemski, forward Gui Santos and rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg. Veteran contributors Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis add spacing and experience, and Draymond Green could return if a new contract is reached.
The roster’s biggest obstacle is the health of key players. Veteran forward Jimmy Butler is nursing a torn ACL, and swingman Moses Moody suffered a torn patellar tendon; both are expected to miss significant portions of the upcoming season. Their absences echo past injury-driven resets, underscoring how the Warriors must navigate another year without a fully healthy core.
Given the injury landscape and the absence of a marquee free-agent, a realistic goal for Golden State this year is a playoff berth rather than a championship. The franchise’s identity has long hinged on Curry’s ability to win alone, but the 2026-27 season forces the organization to accept that even the greatest shooter needs a healthy supporting cast to contend in today’s parity-driven NBA.
