Kurtenbach: Time is not the Golden State Warriors’ Ally. So What Are They Waiting For?
In the high-stakes world of the NBA, where the clock is constantly ticking, the Golden State Warriors find themselves in a precarious position. The Warriors, once the standard bearers of dominance in the league, have entered a phase of transition, but they have yet to decisively act on the urgency of the situation. Time is simply not on their side anymore, and yet, the Warriors seem to be in a holding pattern, waiting for something that may never come.
For the better part of the last decade, the Warriors were an unstoppable force, capturing multiple championships and revolutionizing the way the game was played with their fast-paced, perimeter-centric offense. Led by superstars like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, Golden State was the team to beat. But as the years have gone by, cracks have begun to appear in the Warriors’ seemingly perfect structure, and time — more than anything else — is the enemy now. So, what are they waiting for?
The current situation with the Warriors is a testament to the passage of time in the NBA — a reminder that success is fleeting, and decisions that may have been easy to put off in the past are now becoming increasingly difficult. Golden State is no longer the juggernaut it once was, and the writing is on the wall: they need to make bold moves. But with an aging core, a roster that’s a bit out of balance, and looming questions about future success, the Warriors seem to be paralyzed by indecision.
To understand why the clock is ticking on the Warriors, we need to dive into the team’s current roster makeup, their aging stars, the financial situation, and the general trajectory of the franchise. What does the future hold for Golden State, and what moves do they need to make before it’s too late?
The Aging Core: Time is the Enemy
At the heart of the Golden State Warriors’ championship teams has been their superstar trio: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Together, they’ve won four NBA championships, reshaped the league, and set an incredibly high bar for excellence. However, as the team marches forward, the reality is that Curry, Thompson, and Green aren’t getting any younger, and that time is running out on this championship window.
Stephen Curry, the face of the Warriors and arguably the greatest shooter in NBA history, is in the latter half of his career. While he’s still playing at an MVP level, with his ability to hit deep threes and change the course of games single-handedly, Curry is 36 years old. His career is on the back nine, and as great as he’s been, the reality is that time is catching up to him, as evidenced by his increasing injury history over the last few years. Curry’s prime may not be over yet, but how many more years of MVP-level production does he have left? Golden State must begin to face the reality that they can’t rely on Curry to be the centerpiece of their offense indefinitely.
Klay Thompson, once one of the best two-way players in the NBA, is still finding his form after suffering two major injuries: an Achilles tear and a torn ACL. While Thompson has returned to action and still has flashes of brilliance, he’s not the same player he once was. Inconsistent performances and struggles with mobility have led to questions about his long-term future with the franchise. Thompson’s contract is up soon, and while there’s still belief in his shooting prowess, he’s no longer the elite defender or the consistent offensive force that Golden State relied on for so many years. The window for Thompson to be a key contributor to a championship team is narrowing.
Draymond Green, the Warriors’ emotional leader and defensive stalwart, is arguably in the worst position of all. Green has always been the heart and soul of the Warriors, his intensity and versatility on defense making him a crucial cog in the team’s system. But the 33-year-old Green is no longer the dynamic, lockdown defender he once was. As much as Green provides on the defensive end, his lack of scoring and ability to space the floor has become more problematic in an evolving NBA. Additionally, Green has the option to opt out of his contract in the offseason, and his future with Golden State seems uncertain. While his leadership and defensive IQ remain valuable assets, the Warriors must ask themselves how much longer they can depend on a 33-year-old player whose skill set may not translate well into the future.
In short, the Warriors are facing a dilemma: Their core players are aging, and the inevitable decline that comes with age is starting to show. Golden State may still be a playoff team and even a championship contender in the short term, but it’s clear that they have only a few more years — at most — to capitalize on their remaining window of opportunity.
The Roster Imbalance: What’s Missing?
While the Warriors have arguably one of the most talented cores in the NBA, the roster around them is starting to show its weaknesses. Over the years, the team has traded away key assets and let role players walk in favor of maintaining flexibility and financial stability. But as the team looks to remain competitive, it’s clear that the supporting cast simply isn’t good enough to carry the team over the top in an increasingly competitive Western Conference.
The Golden State Warriors’ bench has been inconsistent at best, and their depth issues are starting to become more apparent. Jordan Poole, the player expected to become the next great Warriors guard, has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. His defense is a major concern, and he has not been able to shoulder the offensive burden as a primary scorer when Curry is out. Poole’s ability to grow into a reliable second option is critical for the Warriors, but he has yet to prove that he can become the player they need him to be in the post-Curry era.
Beyond Poole, the Warriors lack reliable depth at key positions. Kevon Looney, while a solid starting center, is a limited offensive player and often struggles against more athletic big men. Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga, two young players the Warriors have invested in, have shown potential but have yet to prove that they can contribute consistently at a high level. The Warriors’ reliance on aging stars means that the pressure is on the young players to step up, but they have yet to do so in any meaningful way. The question, then, is whether the Warriors will be able to add the necessary talent to supplement their core players, or whether they’ll be forced to rely on their aging stars for one final run.
Financial Struggles: The Price of Keeping the Core Together
Another issue for the Warriors is their financial situation. Golden State is one of the highest-spending teams in the NBA, with a luxury tax bill that is astronomical compared to most other teams. While the ownership group has shown a willingness to spend, the financial burden of maintaining a roster with aging stars and limited flexibility is becoming a problem. Curry, Thompson, and Green all have lucrative contracts that take up a significant portion of the salary cap, and with limited options to add new talent, the Warriors must find ways to address their financial situation.
One possible solution is moving some of their younger assets or expiring contracts to make room for new players. The Warriors have the option to trade Poole, Looney, and others, but the question remains whether the return on those trades will be worth it. Will they be able to land a superstar or key contributor to help push them back into championship contention? Or are they better off keeping their core intact and hoping the young players develop into stars?
In either case, the Warriors can’t afford to wait much longer before making a move. The window for competing at a championship level is closing fast, and if Golden State doesn’t make a bold move soon, they risk wasting the remaining years of Curry’s prime and the last years of their championship window.
So, What Are They Waiting For?
The Golden State Warriors are caught between two competing forces: the need to continue building for the future while also trying to capitalize on the remaining years of their championship core. The reality is that time is not on their side. As the Western Conference becomes more competitive, the Warriors must act quickly and decisively.
The question is whether the Warriors have the courage to make tough decisions — to move away from their aging core, to build around their younger players, and to make the financial sacrifices necessary to put together a contender.
The Warriors can’t afford to wait much longer. The NBA’s landscape is rapidly changing, and the window for another championship run is getting smaller by the day. Time is ticking, and the question now is whether the Warriors will make the necessary moves before it’s too late. Will they rebuild, or will they try to ride out the last years of their dynasty? Either way, the clock is ticking, and the future is now.
