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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) embrace after the Warriors win over the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on April 3, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

The Golden State Warriors have plenty on their plate as their 2026 offseason gets underway.

As the NBA Draft and free agency get closer, the Warriors have plenty of sorting out to do and a step-by-step plan to lay out. This offseason features multiple pressing bullet points on the priority list.

So where will the Warriors start?

Star point guard Stephen Curry is rumored to be seeking contract extension, but he perhaps is only willing to sign on the dotted line if the Warriors’ offseason moves are appeasing enough. 

According to Warriors insider Anthony Slater, Golden State is still deciding what decision to make over their 11th pick in this year’s draft. If the Warriors have any aspirations of acquiring a major star, they’ll have to put that pick on the table.

“[Warriors general manager Mike] Dunleavy said he would explore all options with the pick — using it, trading up, trading back or attaching it in a trade for a more established player,” Slate wrote on ESPN.com. “If the Warriors are to reenter the mix for the expected-to-be-available Giannis Antetokounmpo or try to swing a trade for a star wing like Kawhi Leonard, that 11th pick would presumably be a required asset.”

Warriors Must Be Willing to Shoot for the Stars

Because it is pretty much now or never.

As presently constructed, the Warriors don’t possess a rapidly rising young talent they can bank on to help Curry’s career in the Bay end on a high note. And if they plan on using their top draft pick to draft a player, the odds he becomes an immediate star and someone ready to be Curry’s co-star is slim. 

That means the Warriors will need to explore the trade market. The good news is there are some options out there, though making any move will be a challenge because of the financial dynamic of the roster.

“But the more pressing questions are about the roster,” Slater penned. “Green has a $27.6 million player option that he must decide whether to pick up before June 29. Veteran center Kristaps Porzingis is an unrestricted free agent. The team’s two starting wings, Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody, are early in their rehab process for serious knee injuries. Curry is extension-eligible in late August.”

Curry’s Extension Happening This Summer?

GettyGeneral manager Mike Dunleavy and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors pose for a photo marking the presentation of the ball to Curry for his 12th selection to the NBA All Stars, prior to the start of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center on February 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

Slater notes Curry is eligible for an extension in August. 

Curry, 38, is under contract for the 2026-27 season, where he is set to earn close to $63 million.

The Warriors could extend Curry’s contract for an additional two years worth roughly $60 million annually. That is quite the chunk of change to be making at ages 40 and 41.

ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel reported earlier this week that Curry intends to play at least three more seasons before he starts thinking about retirement. Curry likely aims to be a Warrior over that time, but the decisions the Warriors make will play a big part in how committed Curry is to the franchise.

“We’ve always stated we want Steph to finish his career here and be here for as long as he wants,” Dunleavy said Friday in a press conference. “So I am sure those conversations will happen and you can predict where he is going. But I don’t see under any scenario where we don’t want to figure out a way to have him finish here.”

If the Warriors ace the offseason, consider a Curry contract extension a virtual done deal. 

But if things don’t play out the way Curry hopes, it could throw a wrench in his future plans.