Aug 2, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries owner Joe Lacob claps on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Tempo at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Just a few years ago, the Warriors were at the top of the basketball hierarchy, dominating the basketball world and defining the modern three-point shooting playstyle we see today. But a lot has happened since their last title run (2022), and the Warriors find themselves in a much different situation than they experienced at their peak.
This summer was supposed to be an opportunity for the Warriors to restore their status as title contenders, but they proceeded to strike out on all the big additions who could have moved the needle for them. So, with the situation looking increasingly hopeless, Warriors owner Joe Lacob addressed the matter publicly in hopes of appeasing the fans. Contrary to popular belief, he revealed that his team made two significant trade offers that involved “multiple draft picks.”
“We have to make a good trade; we have to make a trade that makes sense,” said Lacob, via Tim Kawakami. “If we thought we had a great trade in front of us, and, by the way, without talking a little bit too much more than I should about secret dealings that went on in the offseason, we made at least two very big offers in the last six months, let’s put it that way. Between the trade deadline and the summer, at least two. There were multiple draft choices. So it’s not like we wouldn’t move them if we thought it was the right thing to do.”
It wasn’t a lack of trying that the Warriors failed to acquire any reinforcements for Steph. They have at least six first-round picks to trade, and they were willing to give up several in the pursuit of star power. While we don’t know what stars the Warriors had in mind, the biggest names available this summer were Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown, who would have cost at least three picks.
“We moved one for Jimmy [Butler] when we got him then. I can tell you there were offers that we did make where more than two, there was a significant amount of draft capital,” Lacob added. “They didn’t work out; the cost was too high to be justifiable, or we weren’t selected. These things happen. I’ve told all of our fans from day one, we’re going to go after pretty much anybody who is a good player and check it out, check out the situation at all times. We want to be as good as we can be this year. We’re trying to be the best team that we can be; we’re trying to win an NBA championship.”
After going 37-45 last season, it’s clear the Warriors need help if they want to keep up with the likes of the Thunder and the Spurs in the West. And while some fans speculated the Warriors are pivoting to rebuild mode, Lacob has confirmed that they are still very much in win-now mode.
At this point, there’s nothing else for the Warriors to do but run it back and wait for another opportunity. As bad as things look, there may still be a pathway to the playoffs with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis returning. There’s also the situation with Jimmy Butler, who is still recovering from his mid-season ACL tear.
But if the Warriors don’t make a move soon, they risk wasting another year of Curry’s career, which is rapidly nearing its end. That’s why Joe Lacob has made it clear that the Warriors will not rest until they have a roster that’s worthy of Curry’s greatness.