NBA Offseason Outlook for Eliminated Teams Including Warriors

Thirteen NBA franchises have entered the 2026 offseason after failing to qualify for the playoffs. These teams include the Golden State Warriors, who finished the 2025-26 season with a 37-45 record.

Golden State Warriors

Overview The Warriors hold the 11th pick in the upcoming draft and have a 2% chance at the No.

1 pick. 5 million player option, Gary Payton II as an unrestricted free agent with Bird rights, Pat Spencer as a restricted free agent with Bird rights, Quinten Post as a restricted free agent with early Bird rights, Al Horford with a $6 million player option, Seth Curry as an unrestricted free agent with non-Bird rights, Nate Williams as a restricted free agent with non-Bird rights, and Charles Bassey as an unrestricted free agent with non-Bird rights.

Roster and Financial Situation

The Warriors missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons and have been a play-in team in three of the past four seasons since their 2022 championship.

They finished no higher than seventh in the Western Conference standings over the past three seasons. The team attributes missing the playoffs largely to Jimmy Butler's season-ending injury and Stephen Curry playing his fewest games since the 2019-20 season. Butler will miss an extended period at the start of next season due to a torn right ACL.

Curry returned for the final three games after being out since January.

Coaching and Management Decisions Coach

Steve Kerr's contract expires at the end of this season.

Kerr has led the Warriors to four NBA championships since the 2014-15 season. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. stated after the trade deadline that the team is willing to use young players and first-round picks to improve.

The Warriors acquired Butler in February when their record was 25-25.

Trade and Draft Assets

The Warriors can trade first-round picks in 2028, 2030 (if picks 1-20), and 2032, and can swap firsts in all seven years.

Curry, Butler, and Green account for 79% of the team's payroll next season. The remaining roster includes Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Horford, Will Richard, and Melton, each earning less than $13 million. The team may face challenges in assembling salary for major acquisitions while maintaining flexibility.