The Warriors are no longer considered legitimate championship contenders, but they’re still one of the NBA’s most fun teams.
There are great storylines. There’s intrigue. There’s history. There’s suspense.
They won four championships in eight years, becoming the league’s modern-day dynasty. Steph Curry, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr are still together.
Last season, Kerr referred to the Warriors as a “fading dynasty.” Can they resuscitate the team before the 38-year-old Curry retires? Will they make a big move ahead of February’s trade deadline?
Regardless of what happens, the Warriors are still one of the NBA’s most interesting teams. Here are five things to get excited about ahead of next season:
1. Steph Curry is still the most jaw-dropping player in the league
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is like a metronome because of his stunning consistency, regularly producing 30-point performances while locking down defenders.
The runner-up for the league’s most prestigious individual award, Victor Wembanyama, is rightfully called an alien because of how agilely he moves around the court with his 7-foot-4 frame, blocking shots, sinking jumpers and making his defenders look like junior high players.
But there’s something different about Steph.
When he gets going, there’s nothing like it. He goes unconscious. He makes shots from stunning distances with multiple hands in his face while falling down. The rim becomes ocean-sized. He transforms into a wizard.
Even though he’s turning 39 in March and dealt with a balky knee that sidelined him for 27 straight games last season, Steph is still Steph.
Last season he was the oldest point guard in NBA history to be named an All-Star starter. He averaged 26.6 points on 46.8% shooting from the field and 39.3% from beyond the arc, 3.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists.
And on any given night, he was capable of the scoring explosions that make the NBA so fun to watch, including finishing with 35 points (27 in the second half) against the Clippers in their play-in game in April.
2. Draymond Green remains one of the league’s top defenders
Draymond’s magic lies in his ability to guard positions 1 through 5 on the court as well as excite his team.
He pours himself so deeply into what he does that it inspires everyone around him. He’s vocal. He’s intense. He’s long been the team’s spark plug.
Look no further than what he did against the Clippers in that play-in game. With the Warriors’ season on the line, he held Kawhi Leonard to two points in the fourth quarter.
Said Leonard: “It was hard to even get shots up.”
Green went all in on trying to recruit LeBron James to the Warriors this summer, including declining his $27.7 million player option to free up money before James eventually chose the 76ers.
Green still has it. And he still deeply cares about winning.
3. Jimmy Butler is coming back
The Warriors were dealt a debilitating blow last season when Butler suffered a torn right ACL on Jan. 19.
That knocked them out of contention, dashing any hopes of competing in the very-crowded Western Conference.
Butler will miss the start of the season, but he’s expected to make his return around January or February.
Last season, the Warriors were inconsistent when Curry, Butler and Green shared the court. But back in 2025, after trading for Butler in February, they finished the season by going 23-7.
If they can tap back into that magic, they could be exciting.
4. Steve Kerr is still at the helm
Kerr contemplated retiring as Warriors coach last season.
But he still felt the pull to be on the sideline alongside Curry and Green, and signed a two-year contract extension in May.
Kerr, who has been at the Warriors’ helm for 12 years, is the conductor of one of the greatest teams the league has seen, and there’s something that feels right about him being alongside Curry and Green as they face their basketball mortality.
Kerr did a lot of soul searching before deciding to return. He acknowledged that the team and the coaching staff have a lot of areas in which they need to improve.
And he’s ready to help the team try to fight its way back to relevance.
5. Yaxel Lendeborg is intriguing
The Warriors selected Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick in June’s NBA draft, their highest pick in the last five years.
Part of the reason they chose the 23-year-old is because he’s ready to contribute immediately.
Lendeborg, who was the Big Ten Player of the Year and led Michigan to the 2026 men’s national championship, also delivered during the summer league in Las Vegas, leading the Warriors to a championship while being named tournament MVP.
The rookie, who’s considered a jack of all trades and is skilled at scoring and defense, could make an impact in the rotation.
If all goes well, he could infuse the team with some young blood while helping plug the roster’s holes. In other words, he could make things much easier for Curry, Green and Butler.
