The 2025 NBA season is just around the corner, and the league is poised for another year of drama, intrigue, and triumph. Last season was a wild ride, and this offseason has been just as dramatic thus far. This article will break down everything you need to know about the Bay Area’s beloved Golden State Warriors.
The biggest news isn’t from this summer, but from last season’s trade deadline. Remember the midseason blockbuster trade that sent Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat to the Warriors? It was a game changer. After a mediocre start, the Warriors went on a tear, finishing the season with a 23-9 run, including a ridiculous 22-5 record with both Butler and Steph Curry in the lineup. The Warriors’ championship window, which some people believed had closed, was blown wide open. However, the postseason proved disappointing, with the Warriors exiting in the second round at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves after Curry suffered an injury in Game 1 of the series.
This offseason has been all about building momentum from the end of last season. So far this season, it’s been quiet on the official signing front because all eyes are on the restricted free agency of Jonathan Kuminga. The young forward is still unsigned, and his contract situation has created a major logjam for the team. ESPN has been all over this story, reporting that the Warriors offered a three-year, $75.2 million deal with a team option in the third year, but Kuminga is holding out for a player option. It’s a high-stakes negotiation, and until it’s resolved, the Warriors can’t officially make other moves.
However, this hasn’t stopped the Warriors from making plans for when the negotiations for Kuminga are done. Marc Stein from Yahoo Sports reports that the Warriors have already lined up deals with a handful of key free agents. The big names are Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and a fan favorite, Gary Payton II. Horford would be a huge addition, bringing veteran leadership and a three-point threat from the center position. However, some fans aren’t convinced.
“I think we really need a true big man. Someone who is going to be able to get rebounds and work with Curry in the pick and roll, not some old guy like Horford, who is kind of a half-center,” senior and die-hard Warriors fan, Darrian Mola, said.
Beyond the Bay, the league is also a different place. The most notable rule change for the 2025-26 season, according to Shams Charania, is that unsuccessful end-of-period full court heaves will no longer impact a player’s shooting percentage. It’s a small change, but in a league that is becoming increasingly dependent on stats, there are bound to be impacts. Big trades happened all over the place last year, with Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis swapping places in a three-team deal, and Klay Thompson signing with the Mavericks in free agency, which was a tough pill to swallow for Warriors fans, but showed how competitive the West is getting.
The Western Conference is going to be wild. The Denver Nuggets remain a formidable force, and the Mavericks, Lakers, and Timberwolves are all serious contenders. But with a healthy Curry and Butler,, the return of Draymond Green, and the potential additions of Horford and others, the Warriors are right in the thick of it.
The season kicks off on Oct. 21 in a must-see matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s a perfect test to see where the team stands right away. Get ready, Bay Area. It’s going to be a fun season. The Dubs are back.
