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Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry during a game against the Miami Heat in January 2026
The Golden State Warriors have endured an inconsistent, injury-hit season that has dropped them to the edge of the Western Conference play-in race.
Sitting 10th with a 36-39 record, the Warriors find themselves in an uncertain stretch, with speculation building around potential offseason moves and the future of head coach Steve Kerr, whose contract expires this summer.
While the campaign has been turbulent, the downturn could come with a long-term benefit. Golden State is currently in a position to secure a valuable lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Golden State Warriors Positioned to Leverage Draft Assets
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. recently highlighted the organization’s strong asset base, noting the team controls four first-round picks and multiple pick swaps over the next seven years.
Golden State also holds several mid-tier contracts that could prove useful in potential trade scenarios, giving the front office flexibility if it chooses to pursue roster upgrades.
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks has noted, the combined $18 million salaries of Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski could be utilized in trade discussions.
Kristaps Porzingis could also emerge as a potential option in offseason maneuvering, particularly in a sign-and-trade scenario.
While the Warriors are expected to keep a close eye on the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes this summer, their draft capital also offers an alternative path, allowing them to add young, cost-controlled talent to support both their current roster and future direction.
In his latest mock draft, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has projected the Warriors to fall just outside the top-10, selecting Arizona guard Brayden Burries with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
“While the Warriors would obviously welcome a huge lottery win, this would still be a solid outcome,” Buckley wrote. “Because in Burries, they could get someone with plug-and-play ability without having to totally abandon hope of long-term potential.”
“He makes so many smart, simple plays that you forget you’re watching a freshman. He has an innate understanding of playing his role and the requisite talent to execute it.”
Brayden Burries Emerging as Ideal Fit for Warriors’ System
Through 38 games this season, Burries is averaging 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals, while shooting 50.0% from the field and 40.2% from three on 4.4 attempts per game.
The 20-year-old has played a key role in leading Arizona to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament.
He has delivered several standout performances, including a 23-point outing in a Sweet Sixteen win over Arkansas, where he shot 7-of-11 from the field and knocked down two three-pointers.
Across his four tournament games so far, Burries has made 13 of his 19 attempts from beyond the arc.
The 6-foot-4 guard profiles closely with the type of perimeter players Golden State has long valued, players who can space the floor, move without the ball and operate effectively in a system built on spacing and flow.
“Since he fits both on and off the ball, he’s the kind of guard who could play both with and behind Stephen Curry, ideally scratching two itches with a single selection,” Buckley added.
NBA Draft Room describes Burries as a “big time talent,” and his performances throughout the season have backed up that label.
For a Golden State Warriors team balancing the push to remain competitive with the need to plan ahead, a prospect like Burries offers a potential bridge between the current core and the franchise’s next phase post-Curry.
Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
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