The Golden State Warriors are currently at a crossroads, but they remain a dangerous and competitive team. The front office is planning for next season, as their core of veteran players, which includes Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Stephen Curry, are aging, and several of their contracts will expire. For the 2027 offseason, they are developing a strategy to maintain maximum salary cap flexibility. Not only does that seem wise, but it also conveys ambition.
In the summer of 2027, several well-known players may become available or have player options that could alter the market. It frequently brings up players like Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee) and Nikola Jokić (Denver). Golden State is fully aware that having the financial capacity to compete will be essential if those or comparable talents make a significant impact on the market.
Additionally, many of the Warriors’ key contracts will expire by then. If the Warriors decide to lean toward retooling, the contracts of Curry, Butler, and Green are structured to allow them to free up a sizable portion of their payroll.
Currently, there aren’t many long-term financial commitments that go into 2027–2028. By then, the contract Moses Moody holds will be worth roughly $13.4 million. Buddy Hield has a player option for about $10 million during that period. As far as specific or probable duties on the books are concerned, that is all. The Warriors will have options under several other contracts that appear substantial today, or they will expire.
This tactic is not risk-free, though. The Golden State Warriors may be restricting their ability to make immediate squad upgrades by keeping their finances tight. One example would be the talks with Jonathan Kuminga. According to reports, the Warriors have offered a multi-year extension (such as a three-year contract worth $75.2 million with a team option in year three). However, Kuminga wants a player option for the third year to maintain his own flexibility. Golden State appears hesitant to make lengthy commitments that would reduce its cap room in 2027.
Additionally, they’re turning down or delaying sign-and-trade offers for Kuminga, sometimes due to concerns that the contracts will be too long and limit their future flexibility.
Fans, players, and even certain members of the organization may struggle to embrace this type of long-term planning fully. With Curry still in his prime, fans adore watching the Warriors make bold changes as they prepare to contend for another championship. Players on younger or shorter contracts, such as Kuminga and Moody, may feel uncertain about their future.
Such players may want greater long-term organizational stability. It’s also an emotional risk; what if the market isn’t performing well by summer 2027? What happens if the pieces they want to find remain in place or are re-upped somewhere else? Only when there is something to flex for can flexibility be beneficial. In that way, the plan calls for perseverance, trust, and a little bit of good fortune.
The Golden State Warriors are betting heavily on 2027 in addition to winning in 2025–2026 or 2026. They want the payroll flexibility that other teams may covet, the ability to pursue a big player, make roster changes, or even transition to a younger core. It’s a tactic that combines ambition, danger, and hope; whether it succeeds or fails will be one of the NBA’s most intriguing storylines in the years to come.
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