The Golden State Warriors had championship aspirations heading into this year's NBA playoffs, but instead of a parade, their season ended with a thud in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.
They lost there on Wednesday to the surging Minnesota Timberwolves by a final score of 121-110. While the immediate future looked bright for them when they traded for six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler in February, it now looks at least somewhat murky.
Butler said after Wednesday's game that he, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will get together to talk about the 2025-26 campaign.
“Maybe on the plane, I don’t know," Butler said. "For sure, sometime this summer, but when it happens, it will happen.”
Once Butler made his debut with the Warriors, they closed out the season by winning 23 of their last 31 games. Curry, who had looked over the hill during the first half of the season, seemed revitalized, and so did the entire organization.
But after a tough first-round series against the Houston Rockets that went the limit, Curry injured his hamstring in Game 1 versus Minnesota. That was it for him, and after Golden State won that game, it lost the next four in a row.
Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) and guard Steph Curry (30).
© David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Curry is 37 years old and both Butler and Green are 35, but they are surrounded by a number of young and viable complementary players. Among them is forward Jonathan Kuminga, who has made strides during the last two seasons but will be a free agent this summer.
Golden State has committed a boatload of money to Curry, Green and now Butler for the next two seasons. It needs more size up front and perhaps a little more offensive depth off the bench, but as long as the three stars remain together, the team should have at least a puncher's chance of winning it all.