“We need some pieces to help get us to the next level” – Stephen Curry sounds off on the Warriors not making any offseason moves yet originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The Golden State Warriors experienced a rollercoaster last season. After Steve Kerr and Stephen Curry returned from the Olympics, brimming with confidence from their hard-earned gold, they entered the new season full of energy. Fresh off his first Olympic gold, Curry seemed rejuvenated, and the team started strong with a 9–1 record, even after parting ways with Klay Thompson. On average, Steph played under 30 minutes per game, while Kerr utilized a deep rotation that sometimes included up to 13 players.
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Then, all of a sudden, the team fell into a disastrous slump that lasted until January. Entering the trade deadline with a 25–26 record, out of playoff contention, the Warriors had one goal: bringing back Kevin Durant. However, Durant declined, and in a last-minute move, Jimmy Butler, unhappy in Miami, was acquired.
The combination of playoff-ready Curry and Butler looked terrifying
Butler immediately injected new life into the team, forming a strong on-court connection with Curry and Draymond Green. From that point until the end of the season, the Warriors went on a 22–5 run when Curry and Butler shared the court. Heading into the playoffs, the combination of playoff-ready Curry and Butler looked terrifying and, at times, unstoppable. After a seven-game series win over the Houston Rockets, Curry suffered an injury, and the team fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Still, the veteran trio gave the sense that this team had something special.
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It was apparent how quickly they developed a chemistry, both on and off the court, as Green revealed during the season what Butler’s arrival meant to emotional Curry.
“He said to me in Utah after the trade—he looked at me and he said, ‘Man, it’s crazy because it just dawned on me that like… this is it. This is the last ride,'” Green shared. “And I said, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s ride till the wheels fall off!’ It was an emotional moment.”
Warriors may need some reinforcements to become true contenders
As the new season approaches, amid all the buzz surrounding Jonathan Kuminga and his contract, Dub Nation is ready for another final championship ride. So far, the offseason has been quiet, and the Warriors may need some reinforcements to become genuine contenders. While Kuminga offers productivity on the court, Kerr still doesn’t seem to see him in championship plans alongside the veteran duo of Green and Butler.
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Regarding the rest of the rotation, Kerr appears somewhat uncertain about his vision. There are quality players, but it’s important to mention that in May, he rotated 14 players in a single half, a level of experimentation unseen since 1998, which raised eyebrows among Dub Nation. Curry now addressed the rotation issue in an interview with NBC Sports.
“It’s different, for sure,” Curry said. “But … My confidence is built on the identity that we were able to create over the last third of the regular season last year (and) the playoff journey. We have a really good team, and we do know we need some pieces to help get us to the next level. I think the veteran presence that we have, with me, Jimmy [Butler], Draymond [Green] – like, we understand how to prepare through that uncertainty and be able to hit the ground running in training camp, knowing we should have some movement by then.”
Much depends on Kuminga
Curry seems to be signaling to the front office that some moves are necessary. He emphasizes that deep rotations mean little without defined roles, especially for Kuminga, who is increasingly frustrated. He also indicates that any progress next season will rely heavily on the veteran trio.
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The maneuver space is tight, and much depends on Kuminga, who sometimes appears ready to take a leadership role once Steph eventually retires. Yet, the Warriors are focused on the short-term goals, with a championship as their primary goal, a mindset evident in their decision to part ways with Jordan Poole, once seen as a potential successor to Curry.
All future Warriors moves hinge on whether Kuminga remains with the team or if they find a good trade partner who can give them the help Curry desires.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared.