There is a good chance the Warriors roll out the same roster in the 2025-26 season that they did in 2024-25, save for a few minor tweaks.
According to Mike Dunleavy, the general manager of the Warriors, the team has very little financial flexibility to acquire a superstar-level player in the offseason. The statement spells terrible news for Golden State’s aspirations to land Giannis Antetokounmpo or any other marquee name.
“Only because just of our salary structure and the way it works with the amount of money you can use underneath the second apron,” Dunleavy explained the reason for Golden State’s struggles to land a star, via NBC Sports Bay Area.
“That probably restricts it more than anything for us in terms of pursuing the best roster we can.
“I think we’ll look at stuff. We’ll look at players that we really like that may — we’ve just got to be — it’s just almost impossible for us to add players in the salary range of guys we were looking at last summer since we’ve added Jimmy.”
Warriors Prefer to Remain Under 2nd Apron
It’s no secret that the Warriors prefer to remain under the dreaded second-apron of the NBA’s luxury tax, something that Governor Joe Lacob has reiterated several times.
Entering the 2025-26 season, the Warriors have nearly $140 million committed just to Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Furthermore, the Warriors could pay Jonathan Kuminga, a restricted free agent, north of $30 million.
Dunleavy admitted that the team’s situation severely hampers them from pulling off blockbuster trades, but they’ll still try to make moves around the edges.
“That would be the only limiter,” Dunleavy said about the Warriors’ cap situation. “But in terms of finding talent, improving this team, we’re going to look under every rock to try and do that.”
Limited Warriors Trade Options
The only way for the Warriors to realistically upgrade the roster is by sending Kuminga to another team in a sign-and-trade scenario.
According to The Stein Line’s Jack Fischer, the Bulls have interest in pursuing Kuminga via sign-and-trade, but are unwilling to overpay for the Congolese forward.
With only the Brooklyn Nets having enough cap space to make a significant offer for Kuminga, the Warriors may be forced to hold onto the fourth-year player.
“I think we’re in a good spot with it, honestly,” Dunleavy said of the Kuminga situation.
“We have the ability to bring him back. He’s restricted. I think there will be good dialogue. I’d like to figure something out sooner than later. That would be great…I also acknowledge, with restricted free agency, these things can drag out a little bit and take some time. I think we feel pretty comfortable with who JK is as a player and what he can do for our organization. … It’s a main priority going into free agency.”
Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists last season. His numbers dipped from the previous year, but more so due to injuries. In the playoffs, he received four DNPs — all against the Rockets. However, he ended the season on a positive note, scoring 26, 23 and 30 points in his final three against the Timberwolves.
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