Charles Barkley Sends Blunt Message on Warriors After Playoff Elimination

“You can’t go to war with three old guys against the West,” Barkley said during an episode of "Inside the NBA." He was talking about the Warriors' reliance on their veteran stars — Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. For Barkley, the issue is obvious. The Warriors' core is getting older, while the rest of the Western Conference is filled with young, athletic teams.

Barkley didn’t stop there. He pointed to the Warriors’ dilemma with 22-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga. 

“The Kuminga thing is interesting 'cuz the three old guys are making a lot of money, so you're pretty much stuck with them for the next two years. And the Kuminga thing, we're like, 'Damn, he either plays or he doesn't play.' But now you've got to make a decision. You've got to make a decision whether to pay him or not," he explained.

Kuminga's situation is complicated. After a rollercoaster season that included injury struggles and a late return to the lineup, he showed flashes of his potential.

The Warriors is now faced with a critical decision. Do they continue to rely on their veteran trio, hoping they have one more championship run left? Or is it time to start making tough choices, like moving on from younger talents like Kuminga to find the right mix?

Barkley’s blunt honesty quickly sparked a debate among NBA fans. Some agree that the Warriors are stuck in the past. Others believe Curry, Thompson, and Green can still compete at a high level. But one thing is clear. Change is coming for the Golden State Warriors.