Warriors’ Current Crisis: Has the Front Office Failed Stephen Curry?
When the Golden State Warriors made their historic comeback in the 2021-2022 season, it felt like the team’s dominance in the NBA had returned. Despite being without the likes of Kevin Durant, the Warriors managed to secure their fourth championship in the era of Stephen Curry, head coach Steve Kerr, and the Splash Brothers. With Curry winning his first Finals MVP and a newly reassembled roster, the future seemed bright for the Warriors.
However, fast-forward three years, and the Warriors are no longer the title contenders they once were. Instead of building on their 2022 championship victory, they find themselves in a struggle to remain relevant in the highly competitive Western Conference. While they still have the talents of Curry, one of the best players to ever play the game, the team’s lack of forward-thinking moves has created a sense of urgency in the front office. The Warriors may have Stephen Curry, but time is running out for him, and the window for another championship is closing fast.
The Warning Signs from Three Years Ago
In the 2021-2022 season, the Warriors were at their peak, overcoming several challenges, including a long stretch of injuries, to reclaim their spot at the top of the NBA. The team seemed to have solved their issues, relying on a combination of experienced veterans, fresh talent, and, of course, the brilliance of Curry and his teammates.
However, while the Warriors celebrated their championship success, there were signs of deeper concerns within the organization. The most glaring came from two voices: Andre Iguodala and Stephen Curry himself. Both of them pointed out that the team’s trajectory might not be as sustainable as the management thought. While Curry’s words were often focused on the need for improvement and development, Iguodala’s message was more cautionary.
Iguodala, one of the key figures of the Warriors’ past successes, expressed concerns over the team’s future direction. He suggested that the Warriors’ mentality had shifted in a way that could harm their long-term prospects. This was not just about the roster composition but more about the leadership’s approach to building the team, especially in terms of integrating the younger players and relying on Curry’s greatness to carry the load. Iguodala’s warning, while subtle, was a call for action that seemed to be brushed aside by the front office.
At the same time, Curry was aware of the inevitable decline that would come with age and injuries. As much as he had contributed to the Warriors’ success, he knew that the team could not continue to rely on him indefinitely. His window of competing for championships was narrowing, and the Warriors needed to act fast to build a competitive roster around him.
A Frustrating Decline for Curry and the Warriors
Fast forward to today, and Curry’s warnings about the team’s trajectory seem more prescient than ever. Despite still being one of the most potent forces in the NBA, Curry is not getting any younger. As of the 2025 season, the 35-year-old Curry is still playing at an MVP level, but the lack of supporting talent around him is becoming increasingly apparent. The Warriors, once a well-oiled machine, now find themselves grappling with internal struggles and an underwhelming roster that has yet to live up to expectations.
The front office’s failure to consistently provide Curry with a competitive supporting cast is perhaps the most significant reason for the Warriors’ struggles in recent years. In the 2022 offseason, despite winning the championship, the Warriors’ front office failed to make key acquisitions or take major steps toward improving the roster. The franchise relied too heavily on the hope that the younger players on the roster would naturally develop and elevate the team.
However, the development of these younger players has been slow and uneven. Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and James Wiseman all showed flashes of potential, but they have failed to consistently contribute at the level required for the Warriors to remain contenders. While players like Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are still important pieces of the puzzle, they are no longer at the level they once were, and their decline, along with the absence of a reliable supporting cast, has left Curry to carry a disproportionate load.
The lack of roster flexibility and failure to capitalize on trade opportunities have further highlighted the Warriors’ struggles. The front office has been hesitant to make bold moves, relying on a mix of aging veterans and unproven youth. Instead of making the necessary adjustments to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of the NBA, the Warriors have found themselves stagnating.
Curry’s Window Is Closing
Despite the Warriors’ recent championship win in 2022, there is a very real and ticking clock on Stephen Curry’s career. As one of the greatest players in NBA history, Curry has defied expectations with his longevity and consistency, but even he cannot carry a team to victory alone. The Warriors’ current roster is not built to compete for another championship, and it’s unclear whether the front office has the foresight to make the necessary moves before Curry’s prime is over.
The window for another championship run is rapidly closing, and the Warriors’ inability to address the team’s needs could leave Curry with fewer opportunities to add another ring to his already impressive collection. In a league where superstar players like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are competing for titles every year, the Warriors need to act quickly to build a contender around Curry.
The Warriors have long prided themselves on being a model of consistency and innovation, but they have now found themselves on the other side of that coin — a team that cannot keep up with the best in the league. Curry is still a top-tier player, but he cannot do it alone. Without a solid supporting cast, the Warriors’ title aspirations remain distant.
The Role of the Front Office in the Warriors’ Decline
The front office’s reluctance to shake up the roster or bring in high-impact players has played a significant role in the Warriors’ decline. In a rapidly changing NBA landscape, the Warriors have not kept pace with their competition. While they’ve been loyal to their core, relying on Curry, Green, and Thompson to lead the way, the lack of fresh talent or impactful acquisitions has hindered their ability to stay relevant at the top.
In hindsight, the front office’s failure to listen to the warnings from Iguodala and Curry may have cost them a chance to further extend their championship window. A more proactive approach to player acquisitions and a willingness to make bold moves may have kept the Warriors on top. Instead, the team is now at a crossroads, and without a major shake-up, they risk becoming a perennial contender on paper but not in reality.
Conclusion: A Critical Crossroads for the Warriors
As the 2025 season progresses, the Golden State Warriors are at a critical crossroads. While Stephen Curry is still playing at an elite level, the team around him is not. The front office must recognize the urgency of the situation and take action to build a championship-caliber roster before it’s too late. The Warriors cannot afford to waste any more years of Curry’s prime. If they do not act now, the possibility of winning another championship with Curry leading the charge will continue to slip further away. The time for action is now, and if the front office fails to make the necessary moves, they may find themselves with a superstar player in his twilight years without the help he needs to add another ring to his legacy.
