Warriors Offseason Primer: Pivotal Summer Awaits After Resurgent Second Half

The Golden State Warriors finished the 2024-25 campaign at 48-34, a respectable mark that — despite a second-round playoff exit — suggests the franchise is no longer stuck in neutral.

Yes, they were bounced without Stephen Curry. And yes, that stings. But context matters. Consider this: they were 12-18 before Jimmy Butler showed up. After his arrival? A different team entirely.

Now the Warriors head into an offseason with more promise than questions, but questions nonetheless.

Draft Capital

Golden State holds the No. 41 pick in June’s draft via Miami. That’s their only selection, but they’ve got the trade chips to move if they want to. Four future first-round picks are in their pocket — something worth watching.

Free Agents

The list is long but mostly rotational:

• Restricted: Jonathan Kuminga, Pat Spencer, Taran Armstrong
• Unrestricted: Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Kevin Knox II, Braxton Key
• Two-way: Gui Santos, Quinten Post

Kuminga is the headliner. And depending on how his restricted free agency unfolds, he might be the domino that triggers everything else.

Roster Snapshot

The lineup of Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Butler, and Draymond Green went 16-3 to close the regular season and posted a net rating of +17.9 per 100 possessions. All five are under contract next season. That’s your core.

But the playoff series win over Houston — and subsequent Curry-less loss — highlighted two gaps: the need for a reliable third scorer and frontcourt muscle. The Warriors had the third-fewest points in the paint during the playoffs. Translation: they were too finesse, not enough force.

They’ll be aggressive. They don’t have a first-round pick this June, but those four trade-eligible firsts are ammunition. The challenge? Salary matching. Curry, Butler, and Green account for 85% of the payroll.

Cap Situation

Kuminga’s future heavily influences their financial flexibility. Without him, the Warriors are $17.5 million below the luxury tax, $25.5 million under the first apron, and $37 million under the second.

They have access to the full $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception, but can’t exceed the first apron once the roster is complete.

Top Priority: Make the Butler Window Count

“Jimmy gives us the opportunity to extend this thing by a couple of years,” coach Steve Kerr told ESPN in April. The Warriors’ window now runs parallel to the aging contracts of Butler, Curry, and Green.

That’s why Kuminga matters. He started 56 games over the past two seasons and averaged 15-plus points, but his role shrank late. Kerr even admitted the trio of Kuminga, Butler, and Green doesn’t fit well together — minus-28.2 per 100 possessions, to be exact.

And yet, in the second-round loss to Minnesota, Kuminga averaged 20.4 points on over 50% shooting.

It’s a complicated situation. Expect the Warriors to extend the $7.9 million qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent. A sign-and-trade isn’t off the table, especially with Brooklyn being the only team capable of offering $20 million-plus in starting salary.

Extension Watch: Draymond Green

Green, who just wrapped Year 1 of a four-year deal, is extension-eligible this summer. He could add two more seasons at $36.3 and $39.2 million. He’d be 37 in that final year — same year Curry and Butler’s deals expire.

Still, Green just finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting and remains a net-positive on the floor (+6.7 per 100 possessions). Age matters. But impact matters more.

Others potentially up for extensions: Looney, Payton, and rising big man Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Team Needs

• A third scorer, consistent and playoff-ready
• A mobile rim protector
• Depth in the frontcourt
• A defensive guard off the bench (especially if Payton walks)

Draft & Trade Flexibility

They may not have a first-rounder this year, but they can still make things interesting. Golden State owns four tradeable firsts: 2026, 2028, 2030 (top-20 protected), and 2032.

They’ve also preserved the right to swap firsts in every season through 2031. Oh, and they’ve got a second-rounder, too.