Even without a blockbuster move, the Golden State Warriors enjoyed a productive summer. Jonathan Kuminga is signed to a tradeable contract, and veterans Al Horford, Seth Curry, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II are all expected to play sizeable roles.
Despite massive improvements, the Warriors are largely seen as distant threats to the top teams in the Western Conference. Still, their track record after the trade for Jimmy Butler is a proven one, and Stephen Curry is entering the season healthy.
The Warriors see themselves as title threats, although the rest of the league isn’t convinced. The only thing standing in their way, it seems, is beyond their control.
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MAY 06: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors takes a shot against Mike Conley #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Target Center on May 06, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
Warriors’ Biggest Obstacle Revealed
The Golden State Warriors are a very, very good team with three future Hall of Famers on the roster. Usually, that alone would be enough to be title contenders, if not frontrunners.
However, the Warriors are comfortably labeled a tier two team in the West, for one simple reason: there are a lot of great teams.
“The Warriors’ greatest problem might not be anything about their roster specifically, but rather the context around them: The top of the West is much better than it was in 2022, when Golden State beat the injury-ravaged Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks en route to the Finals,” wrote ESPN’s Zach Kram for ABC on October 13th.
The ten best players in the world are generally agreed on: Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis.
All but Antetokounmpo play in the Western Conference. While the Warriors have one of the best supporting casts in the entire NBA, their durability can be questioned. In short, the Dubs are really good, but there are plenty of better teams lurking.
Every NBA Team Has An Achilles Heel
The Warriors are old. The Minnesota Timberwolves got weakened this summer by the departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The Houston Rockets are already injured. The Los Angeles Lakers’ depth is questionable. The Dallas Mavericks are unproven. The LA Clippers, like the Warriors, are aging.
That leaves only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets as true juggernauts who are all-but-guranteed to finish ahead of Golden State.
The playoffs are still about seven months away. Right now, there is doubt that the elder Warriors can endure an 82-game season. Of course, any team could deal with injury or be devastated by the unpredictable.
The Warriors are not favored to win the Western Conference. However, it’s impossible to make a guaranteed prediction before the season even starts. The Warriors, like most Western teams, are very much in it.
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