What Happened to Golden State Warriors?
The Golden State Warriors, a dominant NBA franchise for much of the 2010s, have navigated a period of transition and challenges since their 2022 championship. While maintaining a high valuation, the team has faced significant roster changes, including the departure of Klay Thompson and the acquisition of new stars like Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porzingis, alongside an aging core, leading to mixed playoff results and a focus on retooling for future contention as of May 2026.
Quick Answer
After winning the 2022 NBA Championship, the Golden State Warriors entered a transitional phase marked by key roster changes and injuries. They reached the Western Conference Semifinals in 2025 but missed the playoffs in 2026, finishing 10th in the Western Conference with a 37-45 record due to significant injuries to stars like Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry. As of May 2026, Head Coach Steve Kerr has extended his contract, and the team is actively exploring options to acquire another star player to complement Stephen Curry, holding the No. 11 pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Win 2022 NBA Championship
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics to win their fourth NBA championship in eight seasons, solidifying their dynasty era.
Klay Thompson Departs for Dallas Mavericks
After extensive contract negotiations, long-time shooting guard Klay Thompson signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks in free agency.
Stephen Curry Signs Contract Extension
Stephen Curry agreed to a one-year, $62.6 million extension, keeping him under contract with the Warriors through the 2026-27 season.
Acquire Jimmy Butler in Trade
In a five-team trade, the Warriors acquired star forward Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat, sending Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a first-round pick to Miami.
Clinched 2025 Playoff Berth
The Warriors clinched their first playoff berth since 2023 by winning a play-in tournament game against the Memphis Grizzlies, finishing the regular season 48-34.
Eliminated in 2025 Western Conference Semifinals
After defeating the Houston Rockets in the first round, the Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the Western Conference Semifinals, with Stephen Curry suffering a hamstring injury.
Jimmy Butler Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury
Star forward Jimmy Butler sustained a season-ending torn ACL injury during a game against the Miami Heat, significantly impacting the Warriors' 2025-26 season.
Acquire Kristaps Porzingis at Trade Deadline
At the 2025-26 trade deadline, the Warriors acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga.
Eliminated from 2026 Playoff Contention
The Warriors finished the 2025-26 season 37-45 and were eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the play-in tournament.
Steve Kerr Agrees to New Two-Year Deal
Head Coach Steve Kerr agreed in principle to a new two-year contract, extending his tenure with the Golden State Warriors through the 2027-28 season.
Warriors Land No. 11 Pick in 2026 NBA Draft Lottery
The Golden State Warriors secured the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, missing out on a top-10 selection.
Warriors Pursuing Star Player for Offseason
As of today, the Warriors are reportedly open to trading their No. 11 pick and other assets to acquire a star player, with rumors circulating about Giannis Antetokounmpo.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Following their fourth NBA championship in eight seasons in 2022, the Golden State Warriors entered a period of significant change and retooling. The 2023-24 season saw the team struggle with consistency, ultimately missing the playoffs. A major turning point occurred in the 2024 offseason when long-time 'Splash Brother' Klay Thompson departed the franchise, signing a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
In an effort to remain competitive, the Warriors made a blockbuster five-team trade in February 2025, acquiring star forward Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a first-round pick. This move, along with other additions like Buddy Hield and De'Anthony Melton, helped the Warriors finish the 2024-25 season with a 48-34 record, securing the 7th seed in the Western Conference. They advanced past the Houston Rockets in a seven-game first-round series, but their playoff run ended in the Western Conference Semifinals, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, a series where Stephen Curry suffered a hamstring injury.
The 2025-26 season proved to be even more challenging for Golden State. Despite a 4-1 start, the team struggled with injuries to key players. Star acquisition Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury on January 19, 2026, against the Miami Heat. Stephen Curry also faced a lengthy late-season absence due to a "runner's knee" injury. These setbacks significantly impacted their performance, leading to a 37-45 record and a 10th-place finish in the Western Conference. They clinched a play-in spot but were eliminated from playoff contention after a loss to the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the play-in tournament.
As of May 12, 2026, the Warriors are focused on the offseason. Head Coach Steve Kerr recently agreed to a new two-year deal, extending his tenure through the 2027-28 season. Stephen Curry, who will earn $62.5 million in the 2026-27 season, is expected to engage in extension conversations this summer, with discussions potentially involving a pay cut to provide the team with more financial flexibility. Draymond Green holds a $27.6 million player option for the 2026-27 season, and while the organization intends to keep him, they are seeking a new contract that offers financial flexibility for roster upgrades. The Warriors also hold the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and are reportedly open to packaging it with other assets to pursue a star-caliber player, with rumors linking them to Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Golden State Warriors remain the most valuable NBA franchise, with a valuation of $11 billion as of January 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Golden State Warriors made different choices?