Warriors’ Title Chances Over? Stephen Curry’s Team Not Landing LeBron James Has Franchise Rethinking Its Goals

Stephen Curry will be entering the 2026-2027 NBA season without a legitimate co-star.

Warriors’ Title Chances Over? Stephen Curry’s Team Not Landing LeBron James Has Franchise Rethinking Its Goals

Stephen Curry and his Warriors might struggle next season (Image via FirstSportz)

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are in a difficult position at the moment. They showed a lot of interest and were heavily linked to signing LeBron James in free agency.

Unfortunately for the Dubs, James decided to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers last week. It was another missed opportunity for the Warriors after they failed to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline earlier this year.

The Warriors are coming off a disappointing 2025-26 campaign as they missed the playoffs for the fourth time in the last seven seasons. They finished at 10th place in a stacked Western Conference and saw their season come to an end against the Phoenix Suns in the final game of the Play-In Tournament.

NBA insider for ESPN Anthony Slater revealed that the team is absolutely fine to run back the same roster from last season and is not keeping high expectations.

[The Warriors are] just fine running back this kinda older 37-win core and understanding they’re not necessarily a part of the title conversation.

Anthony Slater on NBA Today

The Warriors showed a lot of interest in trying to sign LeBron James. In the end, James announced that he would be joining the 76ers and put an end to the whole free agency saga that spanned for over three weeks. Curry was even open to the idea of the two superstars teaming up. Draymond Green even threw a pitch at James when they spent time together in the offseason.

While a number of teams were linked to James, it looks like the Warriors emerged as the biggest losers. They failed to acquire another superstar after missing out on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown at the trade deadline this year.

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Warriors keep salary sheet open for a potential big move after missing out on LeBron James

The Warriors are well aware that time is running out for Stephen Curry. They have not finished above sixth place in the Western Conference standings since winning the championship in 2022.

After declining the $27.7 million player option, Green penned a one-year deal with the Warriors. However, Slater believes that the Warriors can add a superstar alongside Curry during the season, as Green’s deal has no trade clause.

I think, you know, bringing Draymond back on the one-year deal that they prioritized. It’s about the partnership between Draymond and trust in management. But also management’s desire to keep that flexibility. He could have gotten a no-trade clause, right? He was eligible, I should say. The Warriors did not give him that.

Anthony Slater on NBA Today

The Warriors will start their 2026-27 campaign with their core trio of Curry, Green and Jimmy Butler. Butler will be expected to return early next year after his ACL tear in January. Depending on their position in the standings, the Warriors may pursue a superstar at the trade deadline next year.

Warriors have done a poor job in managing the final years of Stephen Curry’s prime

Curry will forever be remembered as the greatest player to ever play for the Warriors. He was drafted by the Dubs in 2009 and has played for them every single season. In 17 seasons, Curry has led them to six NBA Finals and has won them four championships. They created a dynasty from 2015 to 2019 with Curry at the center of it all.

A frustrated Stephen Curry against the Mavs
Stephen Curry (Image via Sergio Rabinal/X)

Yahoo Sports writer Kevin O’Connor called out the Warriors for wasting the final years of Curry’s prime.

It’s ridiculous. It truly is ridiculous when Stephen Curry is one of the 5-10 best players in basketball. This franchise isn’t putting the right pieces around those guys. It hasn’t for multiple years in a row. They tried for Lauri Markkanen, they were too cheap. They made a call about Jaylen Brown, they were too cheap. They weren’t able to get Giannis. What are we waiting for here if you are the Warriors? It’s clearly the post-Curry era.

Kevin O’Connor on First Things First

Curry may be 38 years old, but he continues to play at a very high level. He averaged 26.6 points despite making just 43 appearances last season. The current Warriors roster is aging; however, the front office has still not been active in the summer so far.

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