The Golden State Warriors have some work to do this offseason, and they intend to pursue championship-level moves with fervor from the outset.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported Thursday, May 15, that the Warriors will be "incredibly aggressive in the marketplace." There is a very real, and earned, urgency around the franchise after making it to the second-round of the Western Conference playoffs following a deal to acquire Jimmy Butler ahead of February's trade deadline.
Had Stephen Curry not suffered a hamstring strain in the first half of Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State might be on its way to the Western Conference Finals.
But Curry will turn 38 years old next season, while Butler and Draymond Green are each entering their age-36 campaigns in 2025-26. The trio proved this postseason that its championship window is still cracked, but father time will close it relatively soon if injury doesn't do so beforehand.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves.
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Golden State has four first-round draft picks with which to barter this summer, as well as Butler's $54 million contract in 2025-26, which matches up seamlessly with that of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. But if the Bucks big man does hit the trade market in the coming months, the Warriors will have serious competition for his services.
Another, less expensive player with a lower -- yet rising -- level of stardom the Warriors could consider is Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers. Bovada Sportsbook put the Warriors' odds of landing Reaves this offseason at plus-500, which ties them with Milwaukee for the second-best odds as of Friday.
The New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers are all plus-400 to trade for Reaves, per Bovada.
The fourth-year guard put up career-high averages of 20.2 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds last season. He is on an affordable contract that pays him just $54 million total and only around $14 million next season.
The Lakers can offer Reaves an extension worth around $90 million across four years this summer, though he isn't expected to take it because he can opt out the following offseason and become eligible for much more from L.A. and other suitors on the open market.
Reaves was pretty clearly the Lakers' third-best player in 2024-25 behind Luka Doncic and LeBron James, and his trade value is high. It's unclear what Los Angeles might want in return for Reaves if the team does decide to move him, though an elite-level big man to maximize Doncic's skill set (or assets the Lakers can use to acquire such a player) are likely to be at the top of the list.