Honestly, if you took a nap after the 2022 championship and just woke up to look at the Golden State Warriors roster, you’d probably think you were hallucinating.
The Splash Brothers are no more. Klay Thompson is gone. In his place? A bizarre, fascinating, and somewhat clunky collection of veterans like Jimmy Butler and Al Horford mixed with a youth movement that feels like it’s constantly on the verge of being traded. It’s a strange time to be a fan in the Bay.
The team is currently navigating a mid-January 2026 stretch that feels like a fever dream. We’ve got Stephen Curry still playing at an MVP level at age 37, averaging 28.1 points per game, while the front office tries to figure out if they should go all-in or keep waiting for the "next big thing."
The Steph Curry Reality Check
Let’s get one thing straight: Steph is still the sun that this entire solar system orbits around.
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Without him, this whole experiment collapses. He just dropped 31 on Milwaukee on January 7, and a few nights later, he put up another 31 against Atlanta. He’s leading the league in free throw percentage (again) at roughly 92.9% and shooting over 42% from deep. It’s vintage. It’s beautiful. But he’s also 37. You can see the fatigue in games like the recent blowout loss to the Hawks where he and Jimmy Butler were the only ones who actually showed up to play.
Who is Actually Starting?
Coach Steve Kerr has been messing with the lineups more than a DJ at a wedding. As of mid-January 2026, the primary look has been:
- PG: Stephen Curry
- SG: Moses Moody (finally getting his shot)
- SF: Jimmy Butler
- PF: Draymond Green
- C: Quinten Post
Yes, you read that right. Quinten Post, the 7-foot rookie/sophomore project, has been starting at center lately. It’s a spacing move. Kerr wants a big who can shoot so the lane stays open for Butler’s mid-range game and Steph’s drives. Does it always work? No. Post is still learning how to not get bullied by veteran centers, but the potential is there.
The Jimmy Butler Experiment
Bringing in Jimmy Butler was the "win now" move everyone clamored for. He’s been exactly what you’d expect: gritty, occasionally grumpy, and incredibly efficient. He’s averaging about 21 points and 1.4 steals.
The chemistry with Draymond Green is... intense. They’re basically the two loudest guys in any room. When it works, the defense is a nightmare for opponents. When it doesn't, you see them barking at each other on the bench. It’s high-stakes basketball, and it’s the only way the Warriors stay relevant in a Western Conference dominated by younger, faster teams.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bench
Everyone talks about the "Two Timelines" being dead, but the bench says otherwise.
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Brandin Podziemski is the guy Kerr trusts most off the pine. He’s basically a miniature Draymond with a better jumper. The Warriors actually just exercised his 2026/27 option, so he’s clearly in the long-term plans. He’s shooting a career-high 40.2% from three this season.
Then there’s Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga is the elephant in the room. He’s 23, incredibly athletic, and currently stuck in a contract limbo that has every trade analyst on Twitter losing their minds. He signed a two-year deal with a team option for next year, and as of January 15, 2026, he is officially trade-eligible again.
The Kuminga Trade Rumors
Rumors are flying that the Lakers and Nets are sniffing around. The Lakers want a "3-and-D" wing, and Kuminga fits the "wing" part, though his "3" is still a work in progress. Honestly, it feels like the Warriors are waiting for a star to become available—maybe Michael Porter Jr. or a disgruntled big man—before they pull the trigger on a Kuminga package.
The Veterans You Forgot Were Here
The roster has some "wait, he's on the Warriors?" names that actually play meaningful minutes:
- Al Horford: The 39-year-old is the ultimate "break glass in case of emergency" center. He’s not playing 30 minutes anymore, but his veteran savvy in the playoffs will be huge.
- Buddy Hield: He’s been relegated to a specialized sniper role. If the Warriors need three triples in four minutes, they call Buddy.
- Seth Curry: Yes, the brothers are finally together. Seth signed in December and provides that extra bit of spacing, though injuries have kept him on the sidelines recently.
- De'Anthony Melton: A defensive specialist who provides some much-needed backcourt grit when Steph sits.
Why the Defense is Breaking
Despite having Draymond and Butler, the defense hasn't been "Dynasty Level."
Part of the issue is age. Draymond is 35. Butler is 36. Horford is 39. They can turn it on for a quarter, but over 48 minutes, the cracks show. In that recent 124-111 loss to Atlanta, they looked slow. They couldn't keep up with the Hawks' transition game.
Trayce Jackson-Davis has been a bright spot here. He’s the best rim protector on the team, but he’s fighting for minutes in a crowded frontcourt. If the Warriors want to make a real run, they have to figure out how to integrate TJD's athleticism without sacrificing the spacing that Steph needs to breathe.
What's Next for the Warriors?
The trade deadline is February 5, 2026.
Expect fireworks. Mike Dunleavy Jr. isn't the type to sit on his hands while Steph is still this good. Whether it's moving Kuminga for a legitimate second scoring option or shoreing up the backup point guard spot, change is coming.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
- Watch the January 15 Trade Window: Now that Kuminga is eligible to be moved, expect his minutes to fluctuate based on trade negotiations. If he suddenly starts getting "DNP - Coach's Decision," a deal is likely imminent.
- Monitor the Starting Center Spot: If Quinten Post continues to struggle defensively, Kerr might pivot back to Trayce Jackson-Davis or even start Draymond at the five more often, which increases the team's offensive rating but kills their rebounding.
- Steph's Over/Under: With the lack of consistent secondary scoring (outside of Butler), Steph is forced to shoot more. His volume is likely to stay high through the All-Star break.
The Golden State Warriors are a fascinating mess right now. They're too good to tank and maybe a piece or two away from being truly scary again. It's a tightrope walk, and January is when we'll find out if they have the balance to stay on.
Keep a close eye on the injury reports for Seth Curry and Gary Payton II. Their return to the rotation will likely push guys like Pat Spencer back to the G-League, even though Spencer has been surprisingly solid in limited minutes.