The Golden State Warriors are currently a walking paradox. If you look at the NBA Golden State roster right now, it feels like a weird experiment in mixing "Late-Stage Greatness" with "Panic-Mode Potential." It's January 2026, and the vibes at Chase Center are, honestly, pretty complicated.
We have Steph Curry still playing like a god at 37. We have Jimmy Butler in a Warriors jersey—something that still feels like a fever dream. And then we have the Jonathan Kuminga situation, which just exploded into a formal trade request this week.
The core that actually plays
The starting five isn't what it used to be. It's older. Much older. In fact, earlier this season, the Warriors became the first team ever to start four players over the age of 35 on opening night.
Stephen Curry is the sun everything revolves around. He’s putting up 28.1 points a night while shooting nearly 39% from deep. Beside him, Jimmy Butler (who arrived via that massive trade with Miami last February) has basically become the secondary engine. He’s averaging 20.1 points and nearly 5 assists. He does the dirty work Curry shouldn't have to do anymore.
Then there is Draymond Green. He's 35 now. The stats—8.5 points, 5.9 boards, 5.2 assists—don't look like much on a spreadsheet, but the defense still collapses without him.
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The 2025-26 active rotation
- The Vets: Stephen Curry (PG), Jimmy Butler (SF), Draymond Green (PF), Al Horford (C), Buddy Hield (SG), Seth Curry (SG).
- The Young Guns: Brandin Podziemski (G), Moses Moody (G), Trayce Jackson-Davis (F/C), Quinten Post (C), Will Richard (G).
- The Depth: De'Anthony Melton (G), Gary Payton II (G), Gui Santos (F), Pat Spencer (G).
Why the Kuminga trade request changes everything
This is the elephant in the room. On Thursday night, after a win against the Knicks, the news broke: Jonathan Kuminga wants out. He made it official the second he was eligible to be traded.
It’s a mess. Kuminga is only 23, but he’s been stuck in a weird purgatory. He’s averaging 11.8 points in about 25 minutes, but the trust just isn't there with Steve Kerr. The front office signed him to a two-year, $46.8 million extension back in September specifically to make him a "tradable asset" at this year’s deadline. Well, the deadline is approaching, and the bridge is officially burnt.
Honestly, his value is at an all-time low. If Mike Dunleavy can't flip him for a high-level rim protector or a versatile wing who actually fits the motion offense, this season's ceiling drops significantly.
The Curry brothers and the "New" bench
One of the coolest subplots of this NBA Golden State roster is seeing Seth and Steph finally on the same team. Seth Curry joined this past October on a veteran deal and he’s still one of the most efficient shooters alive, hitting nearly 46% from three last year.
The bench is actually where the "new" Warriors live. Brandin Podziemski has arguably been the most consistent non-star player, averaging 11.9 points and 4.4 rebounds. He’s the guy Steve Kerr trusts to close games when the veterans' legs get heavy.
Then you have Al Horford. At 39, he’s basically the babysitter for the second unit. He’s not playing 30 minutes anymore, but his 6.7 points and 4.8 rebounds provide a level of "adult in the room" stability that the team lacked after Kevon Looney moved on.
The defensive identity
The Warriors are currently 8th in the league in defensive rating. That’s wild considering the age of the roster. De'Anthony Melton was a huge part of that vision, though he's had his share of injury struggles this season. When he, GP2, and Draymond are on the floor together, the Warriors still look like that championship-level nuisance from 2022.
What most people get wrong about this roster
Everyone talks about the "window closing." People have been saying that since 2019. But this isn't a team trying to rebuild; it's a team trying to "bridge."
The misconception is that the young guys—Moody and Podziemski—are just waiting for the vets to retire. In reality, the NBA Golden State roster is built so that the vets (Steph, Jimmy, Draymond) take the high-leverage shots while the kids do the sprinting.
Moses Moody is finally getting his flowers. He’s averaging 10.6 points and has become a reliable "3-and-D" wing. He’s no longer the guy getting "DNP-CDs" every other night. He’s a staple.
Actionable insights for the trade deadline
If you're following the Warriors, here is what needs to happen before the February deadline for this roster to actually contend:
- Resolve the Kuminga Drama: They need to move him now. Keeping a disgruntled player who doesn't fit the scheme is a locker room cancer they can't afford.
- Find a Real Center: Quinten Post is a fun 7-footer who can shoot, but he’s a rookie (effectively) in terms of NBA impact. Al Horford is 39. They need a physical interior presence to help Draymond.
- Manage the Minutes: Steve Kerr has to be disciplined. Steph is playing 32 minutes a game. In 2026, that’s a lot of mileage for a 37-year-old guard. They need to lean harder on Will Richard and Pat Spencer in the dog days of January.
The roster is talented enough to be 8th in the West (where they sit now at 23-19), but it’s too old to stay there without some fresh blood via the Kuminga trade. Watch the trade wire closely over the next three weeks; the version of the Warriors you see today won't be the one you see in the playoffs.