ESPN details Warriors offseason: Curry may sign 2-year $136.7 million extension, Green and Kerr's futures uncertain

On April 18 Beijing time, the Warriors lost to the Suns in the play-in tournament and were eliminated, missing the playoffs, ending their 2025-26 season. ESPN salary expert Marks immediately detailed the Warriors' offseason, specifics as follows—

Warriors 2025–26 season record: 37 wins, 45 losses

June draft picks: No. 11 pick, No. 54 pick (from Lakers)

Probability of winning lottery: 2%

Free agent list

Green: $27.7 million player option

Porzingis: unrestricted free agent (Bird rights)

Melton: $3.5 million player option

Payton Jr.: unrestricted free agent (Bird rights)

Spencer: restricted free agent (Bird rights)

Post: restricted free agent (Early Bird rights)

Horford: $6 million player option

Seth Curry: unrestricted free agent (Non-Bird rights)

Nate Williams: restricted free agent (Non-Bird rights)

Bassey: unrestricted free agent (Non-Bird rights)

Team status

No team in the entire league faces as many challenges and decisions this offseason as the Warriors. This is the Warriors' second trip to the lottery in three years. Since winning the championship in 2022, the team has played in the play-in tournament for four consecutive years, with their highest regular-season Western Conference ranking being only seventh.

Missing the playoffs is mainly attributed to Butler's season-ending injury and Stephen Curry's games played hitting a low since the 2019–20 season. If the core lineup cannot stay healthy, the Warriors' championship window is closing rapidly.

Butler underwent right knee ACL surgery on February 20 and will be sidelined long-term early next season; Curry has been out since January 24 due to a right knee injury, only briefly returning for the final three regular-season games.

Additionally, head coach Steve Kerr's future is also uncertain. Kerr has coached the Warriors since the 2014–15 season, leading them to four NBA championships, and his current contract expires this summer.

Even with an uncertain path ahead, General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. will exhaust all options to strengthen the roster.

Dunleavy said after the trade deadline: "While we are still in the window of competing for championships with our current roster, we are willing to do whatever it takes to upgrade the team, whether it's trading young players or first-round picks. We have always done this and will not change in the future."

The Warriors hold the No. 11 pick in this draft and can use three future first-round picks for trades: 2028, 2030 (top-20 protected), 2032;

For the next seven seasons, the Warriors retain swap rights for all their first-round picks.

Core challenges in rebuilding the team roster

If a top-tier star like Giannis Antetokounmpo enters the trade market, the Warriors would struggle to assemble matching salary packages while maintaining flexibility for future roster moves.

Aside from Curry and Butler's max contracts, there are no large contracts on the team for salary matching;

To trade for Giannis or another All-Star, Green's $27.7 million contract is almost the only option.

Next season, the combined salaries of Curry, Butler, and Green will account for 79% of the Warriors' total payroll.

The other six players (Moody, Podziemski, Santos, Horford, Richard, Melton) all have salaries below $13 million.

Green, Horford, and Melton all hold player options: they cannot be traded before exercising their options.

Offseason salary and tax situation

The Warriors have the potential to avoid the luxury tax for the first time since the 2019–20 season.

Including three player option slots + the 2026 first-round pick:

The team is currently $14.5 million below the luxury tax line, $22 million below the first apron, and $35 million below the second apron.

The three players with player options must decide whether to exercise their contracts by June 30.

Limited by the hard cap of the first apron, it's difficult for the Warriors to use the $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception while staying salary compliant.

Management's primary goal

Build a roster with championship-contending capability around the 38-year-old franchise cornerstone Curry. Can the Warriors simultaneously pursue championship contention with their current roster and plan for the future rebuild after Curry, Butler, and Green retire?

The first step in this difficult balancing act depends on whether Kerr stays.

Kerr excels at coaching veteran teams and building winning systems; but is he willing to take on the challenging coaching task during the rebuilding period after the Curry era ends?

Before the season started, Kerr stated he was willing to finish his current contract and determine his future direction in the offseason.

"I'm comfortable finishing this year's contract. I share a high level of alignment with GM Dunleavy and owner Lacob, with no disagreements or concerns. Our collaboration proceeds naturally, waiting until the season ends to make decisions."

Meanwhile, extensions for Curry and Green are also pressing.

Curry can sign a 2-year $136.7 million extension as early as August 30, covering his age 39 and 40 seasons, with salaries of $65.7 million and $71 million respectively, setting new career highs.

Aside from missing 58 games due to a left hand fracture in the 2019–20 season, Curry has rarely suffered long-term serious injuries in his career,

until this year's recurring right knee issues caused him to miss over 12 consecutive games.

Curry described the knee injury troubles in an interview: "The daily rehab training starts fine, but pain spreads during the later part of training, and the injury worsens significantly the next day. For the past two months, I've been stuck in this vicious cycle of recurring injuries." Currently, Curry's total career playing time ranks eighth among active players.

The 36-year-old Green, the spiritual core and defensive cornerstone of the Warriors' championship runs, also qualifies for an extension.

Green admitted: "I can opt out and sign a long-term deal, or exercise my option and then discuss an extension. I've worked hard to get here and will cherish this control. Staying with one team for 14 years isn't achieved by recklessness; all the effort and commitment are crucial."

Looking beyond the Curry era, the Warriors originally hoped Wiseman, Kuminga, Moody, and other lottery picks would form a new core,

now only Moody remains. Even with all future draft picks, the Warriors' long-term outlook remains unclear.

Key extension candidates to watch

Podziemski

In his third season, he has played his best since February 26, exploding comprehensively after returning to the starting lineup.

Last 24 games: averaging 17.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, shooting 45% FG, 37% 3PT;

Defensively, tied for second in the league in drawing offensive fouls.

This 2023 first-round pick can be extended before the offseason deadline.

Porzingis

Extension deadline is July 1.

Scored 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists in the play-in game against the Clippers; in 16 games with the Warriors, scored double-digits in 13 games.

Other players eligible for extensions

Draymond Green: 2-year $75.4 million (deadline July 1)

Stephen Curry: 2-year $136.7 million

Roster reinforcement needs

Add young talent and athleticism; a stable backup point guard with consistent ability to penetrate the paint; frontcourt depth, quality 3D wing players.

If Melton opts out and leaves, the Warriors' bench rotation will only have Moody, Richard, and two two-way contract players;

Moody's potential long-term absence due to a left patellar tendon tear further reduces roster depth.

Future draft assets

For the next seven years, the Warriors retain all their own first-round picks; the 2030 first-round pick is top-20 protected, if it falls outside top-20 it goes to the Mavericks.

Limited by league rules, teams cannot trade first-round picks in consecutive years, a single trade can package up to 3 first-round picks: 2028, 2030 (non-top-20), 2032; can swap first-round picks each year. Additionally, the Warriors hold two usable second-round picks.