Warriors face big offseason decisions after playoff defeat
May 15 - With Stephen Curry watching from the bench, the Warriors season came to a close on Wednesday with a 121-110 Game Five loss to the Timberwolves, leaving the franchise to now decide how to proceed with an aging core thirsty for one more taste of glory.
The second-round playoff series changed completely when Curry strained his left hamstring in Golden State's Game One win. The team never recovered, losing four straight games to the younger and more athletic Minnesota squad.
Warriors players and coaches were quick to credit the Wolves for sending them on early vacation, but the unmistakable reality was that without Curry, the Warriors lacked sufficient firepower to compete.
"I don't want to take anything away from what Minnesota just accomplished, so there's no sense in even talking about Steph," head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the game.
Kerr, under whose leadership the Warriors became an NBA dynasty with titles in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022, said it was "a hell of a run" after the acquisition of Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline revived their postseason hopes.
"Jimmy changed our season, flipped everything for us and gave us a chance," Kerr said.
"We became one of the best teams in the league."
But that league, especially the stacked Western Conference, continues to get better, and the Warriors also have to contend with Father Time.
Curry, who was likely to play in Game Six of the series had the Warriors been able to extend it, is 37. The team's emotional leader, Draymond Green, and Butler are both 35.
Figuring out who to surround them with to maximize what's left of their championship window will be essential.
Top of the list is deciding what to do with Jonathan Kuminga.
The 22-year-old did not see much floortime late in the season or during the first-round series against the Houston Rockets but took advantage of his opportunity when Curry went down, averaging 24.2 points per game over the last four contests.
The Congolese forward is a restricted free agent, and given his potential, the Warriors will either have to match other team's offers that could be as high as $30 million per season or let him go.
If they decide Kuminga isn't the right fit, the Warriors will either need to add a big star or younger role players who can share the scoring burden with Curry and Butler
Kerr said he was optimistic about the team's future.
"I'm excited. We've got obviously Jimmy and Dray and Steph all coming back," he said.
"Our young players performed really well this year. There's a lot to look forward to."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Kevin Durant said no to the Golden State Warriors — Jimmy Butler Might Be The Reason Why
(Image Source - Getty Images) Kevin Durant had the opportunity to come back to the Golden State Warriors, but he turned it down. Just like that, Jimmy Butler stepped in and changed everything. With an impressive 10-game winning streak and a locker room full of good vibes, Butler ensured that Durant's absence was hardly felt. Now, as KD's future remains uncertain, the Warriors are prioritizing team cohesion over taking another risk on a superstar. Golden State Warriors choose locker‐room harmony over midseason star chase In February, Kevin Durant made waves by rejecting a mid-season return to the Warriors, claiming the timing "didn't make sense". This prompted Golden State to make a bold move: they traded for Jimmy Butler on February 5 in a multi-player deal that included Andrew Wiggins and a first-round pick, and immediately signed him to a two-year, $121 million extension. Butler's addition has already led to a 10-game winning streak and infused the locker room with a fresh competitive vibe. — BallReportX (@BallReportX) Meanwhile, Phoenix is getting ready for Durant's exit. Reports suggest that the Rockets, Heat, and Timberwolves are in the lead, with various teams "actively exploring trade options" as they look to finalize a deal before the draft night on June 25. Durant, who is now 36, is putting up 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season, still ranking among the best scorers in the league. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Butler's arrival solidified a new core, shutting the door on Durant chatter Warriors insider Anthony Slater is straightforward: "there's no talk of Durant coming back to the Warriors at the moment," mainly because Butler has already taken on the role Durant might have filled. The 36-year-old Durant would require a staggering $54.7 million salary for the upcoming season, a financial burden that could shake up Golden State's roster stability and depth. In contrast, Butler's $121 million extension and his excellent combination of scoring, defense, and leadership give the Warriors a clearer direction moving forward. Regarding team chemistry, Butler has already meshed with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Steve Kerr to create a seamless rotation that took some of the anxiety out of his past locker-room reputation. A trade of Durant would require parting with valuable rotation players (either Draymond or other depth choices) to free up financial space- and may serve to disrupt the team immediately before the playoffs. Durant put up some crazy numbers, shooting 52.7/43.0/26.6 PPG, 6 RPG, 4.2 APG in 62 games. Nevertheless, Phoenix floundered to a 3646 mark, missing the playoffs despite having the largest salary in NBA history. It might appear that Warriors values stable collaborations more than reuniting superstars, with the impact of Butler serving as the foundation of their title hopes in 202526. Also Read: 'F**k that' — Draymond Green tells Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to block out NBA Finals noise As the domino of Durant trade starts to fall, ahead of draft night, Golden State is making a loud statement: they are all-in on their current roster, rather than who they will get.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Latest NBA Trade Proposal pairs $194 million Phoenix Suns superstar with Minnesota Timberwolves giant Anthony Edwards
The NBA offseason is heating up, and one of the biggest storylines is Kevin Durant's future. After a disappointing playoff run with the Phoenix Suns, trade rumors are swirling, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as a potential landing spot. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks, a blockbuster trade could send Durant to Minnesota, pairing him with rising star Anthony Edwards. The proposed deal would shake up both teams' rosters and give the Timberwolves a legitimate championship contender. Proposed Trade Details The hypothetical trade outlined by Marks would involve multiple players and picks: Timberwolves receive: - Kevin Durant Suns receive: - Rudy Gobert - Donte DiVincenzo - Mike Conley - 2025 1st-round pick (17th overall) This trade would address key needs for both teams. The Suns, struggling to find a long-term solution at center, would get Gobert—a four-time Defensive Player of the Year. DiVincenzo adds depth as a reliable two-way player, while Conley's expiring contract helps Phoenix clear future cap space. For Minnesota, acquiring Durant would be a franchise-altering move. How the Minnesota Timberwolves' Lineup Would Look Former NBA player hints at Kevin Durant's next stop amidst ongoing trade rumors (Image Credit: Getty Images) If the trade goes through, Minnesota's starting five could look like this: Position Player PG Terrance Shannon Jr. SG Anthony Edwards SF Kevin Durant PF Julius Randle C Naz Reid This lineup assumes Randle and Reid return (both have player options). The combination of Edwards and Durant would create one of the most dynamic scoring duos in the league. - Anthony Edwards – A rising superstar with elite scoring and athleticism. - Kevin Durant – A proven champion and one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. - Julius Randle & Naz Reid – Versatile big men who can stretch the floor. - Terrance Shannon Jr. – A promising young guard who showed flashes as a rookie. The Timberwolves would have elite scoring at every position, along with improved floor spacing and pick-and-roll versatility. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Mutual Respect Between Durant and Edwards The chemistry between Durant and Edwards is already strong. Edwards has openly admired Durant, calling him his favorite player. "Who I look to for advice? Of course KD, that's my favorite player of all time, anything I wanna ask I go straight to him," Edwards said last year when the two were teammates on the Olympic squad. This existing relationship could make the transition seamless, giving Minnesota a lethal offensive duo. Challenges and Cap Considerations While the trade is enticing, the Timberwolves face financial hurdles: - They are a first-apron team, limiting their flexibility. - Player options for Randle and Reid could impact cap space. - Integrating Durant while maintaining depth won't be easy. Still, if Minnesota is serious about contending, this move could push them into title contention. The Timberwolves have a real shot at landing Kevin Durant. Pairing him with Anthony Edwards would instantly make them a top-tier team in the West. While the trade would cost them key pieces like Gobert and a first-round pick, the payoff could be worth it. Also read: As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Phoenix and Minnesota to see if this blockbuster deal comes to life.
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
Rugby Premier League: Scott Curry, Pol Pla Vegue named co-captains of Bengaluru Bravehearts
Mumbai: Kiwi legend Scott Curry and Spanish captain Pol Pla Vegue have been named co-captains for the Bengaluru Bravehearts in the upcoming Rugby Premier League starting on June 15 at the Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai. The Rugby Premier League is the world's first franchise-based international league where stalwarts of international rugby will play alongside the best talent homegrown in India. 'We are extremely excited for the upcoming Rugby Premier League and to captain the Bengaluru Bravehearts in the inaugural season is a responsibility that we are really looking forward to. Our squad consists of some of the biggest names from both international rugby and from a pool of fantastic Indian players and we cannot wait to get our campaign started," said both Curry and Vegue on being appointed co-captains of the Bengaluru Bravehearts. Curry and Vegue will each bring their own experience to the franchise, each having captained the best sides in the world with the hope of leading Bengaluru Bravehearts into a successful inaugural season at the Rugby Premier League. Curry has established himself as one of the best open field runners in the rugby sevens game has also captained the iconic New Zealand side, widely known as the All Blacks Seven. He led the team to an Olympic silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the first-ever medal for New Zealand in rugby 7s at the Olympics. Vegue, captain of Spain's Rugby 7s team and the Spanish player with the most number of tries in the world rugby seven series in history, has led Spain to several accolades. 'Ranjan, Bhupinder and I are amazed at the camaraderie that has been created between international legends from New Zealand, Fiji, Spain, Uganda, Hong Kong, Canada, and legends from the Indian Rugby, led by the most celebrated and accomplished coach Paco Hernandez supported by the best Indian coach. Different languages, different accents, different cultures but bound by a smile, bound by their love for rugby and their desire for the Bravehearts to lift the first edition cup for Bengaluru with their enthusiastic cheer NAMDU (which means ITS OURS in Kannada). Thanks to GMR and Indian Rugby Football Union for coming together and giving huge hope to lakhs of youth playing this sport in the future in India,' said Bengaluru Bravehearts co-owner Sanjith Shetty. Bengaluru Bravehearts boasts of names like Tone Ng Shiu, Mohit Khatri, Iowane Teba, Liam Poulton, Arpan Chettri amongst others in their final squad. The complete squad is Scott Curry, Pol Pla Vegue, Tone Ng Shiu, Suresh Kumar, Iowane Teba, Mak Chung, Akila Rokolisoa, Liam Poulton, Mohit Khatri, Arpan Chettri, Karan Rajbhar, and Prashant Singh. The team is coached by the legendary, Francisco 'Paco' Hernandez. The Bengaluru Bravehearts begin their campaign against Delhi Redz in the first match of the league on June 15.
