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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.
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ith June approaching, the Golden State Warriors are entering go mode. The next few months may make or break the rest of Steph Curry’s heavily-decorated NBA career.
The Warriors have options.
They are expected to be aggressive in free agency and maybe even make some calls to inquire about a splashy summer trade. Whatever the move, whatever the decision, the Warriors know they cannot possess the same roster when October rolls around.
It may start with making some strong in-house decisions.
According to the San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami, the Warriors can position for a productive offseason by cutting ties with a pair of aging star big men.
“In this environment, I don’t see how the Warriors can bring back both Kristaps Porzingis (unrestricted free agent) and Al Horford (player option for next season), even if both are interested in returning,” Kawakami wrote. “I think they’re not likely to bid too high if De’Anthony Melton declines his player option. And I don’t see much chance of using up a roster spot for Seth Curry again.”
GettyLeBron James and Steph Curry embrace after an NBA game.
Porzingis has offered some personal uncertainty over whether he wants to return to the Warriors. Hereford, meanwhile, can simply opt-in to his contract to remain in the Bay. The soon-to-be 40-year-old Horford isn’t on the books for a lucrative deal, but the Warriors offloading his roughly $6 million and avoiding paying Porzingis a deal north of $30 million surely opens lots of doors for Golden State.
Kawakami believes pursing LeBron James could be an option if the Warriors walked away from Porzingis and Horford, among a few veterans.
“Then again,” Kawakami wrote, “one of the most attractive free agents in the market will turn 42 in December. But of course, LeBron James played 1,989 minutes this regular season. Where would that have ranked on this season’s Warriors? Second, behind only Brandin Podziemski’s 2,333.”
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
There’s a certain two-time NBA MVP the Warriors know they can’t let down. Not after a brutal season that saw the team finish several games under a .500 record.
Rumors persist over Curry’s future in Golden State and how soon both parties will agree to a contract extension. One can only imagine Curry won’t pick up the pen until he sees his front office make some major moves.
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said earlier this month that the franchise can’t envision Curry finishing his career anywhere else. But he also commented on needing to piece the puzzle around Curry, who just finished his most injury-plagued season since 2019.
“At his age, given what’s happened, you have to think that way, but it’s not something I probably need to think more about his actual age than I do the knee [injury Curry dealt with this season],” Dunleavy said. “I guess that’s the way I’m thinking about it.”
The 38-year-old Golden State star demonstrated his majestic abilities in moments. That’s expected of an aging star in the NBA. But he needs help.
Because those legs can’t run around the entire game like they once could.
Adel Ahmad Adel is a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA. His work has appeared on various media platforms, both national and local. More about Adel Ahmad
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