The Golden State Warriors are all-in on winning the championship in 2024. They traded Jordan Poole for Chris Paul this summer and kept their Big 3 together by re-signing Draymond Green. It will be shocking to see CP3 in a Warriors uniform, but the move was years in the making. Can the Dubs make it work?
Is Paul willing to come off the bench for the first time in his career? If not, how does Steve Kerr design his rotations? There are plenty of questions, and the Warriors could move on quickly if things are not going as planned.
Changes are coming to the Bay Area. Their payroll is over $200 million this season, and they cannot keep spending at that level. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are all over 33 years old. How much longer can they play at an elite level? There are not many 38-year-old starters in the NBA, so changes will be necessary over the next half-decade.
Golden State Warriors dream starting lineup 5 years from now
PG: Darius Garland
In five years, the 2028-29 season will be weeks for kicking off. Stephen Curry would be 40 years old. If he is still playing, the nine-time All-Star won’t be a starter. Curry will be a 25-minute per-game role player to keep him healthy for when the games matter most.
The Dubs are never afraid to spend and will be in the market for a starting point guard. Luka Doncic may be the dream target, but the 24-year-old superstar likely charts his own path. Who can the Warriors convince to come to the Bay Area to play with their next superstar?
Darius Garland is set to be an unrestricted free agent in the 2028 offseason, but he could be on the move before that. Fans hear Donovan Mitchell rumors, and Garland could ask out if the Cavaliers are not contenders. The Warriors might be all-in, especially if they already have a second star ready to join their squad.
Darius Garland is only 23 years old and coming off a season where he averaged 21.6 points, 7.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 35.5 minutes per game. He made 41.0 percent of his threes and could be Stephen Curry’s replacement in Golden State.
SG: Moses Moody
The Warriors drafted Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Jordan Poole, and James Wiseman as part of their two-timeline plan. Their current core would lead the way with the young group ready to step in as the key members of the dynasty declined. Wiseman was the first to go, and Poole was shipped out this summer. Kuminga has been in trade rumors for months and could be moved.
Golden State has not seen what the 21-year-old can do yet. His playing time and role have been inconsistent during his first two years after being the 14th overall pick in 2021. Moody averaged a career-high 13.0 minutes per game last season. It would take a massive leap to becoming a 30-minute per-game starter, but the Warriors want to help him reach his ceiling.
Moody is 6’6 and a career 36.3 percent 3-point shooter over his first 245 attempts. Can he develop into the 3-and-D wing every team desires? Moody is not afraid of the moment. He made 20 of his first 35 playoff 3-point attempts and stayed in their postseason rotation in 2023 as they searched for answers.
The Golden State Warriors dream that Moses Moody can be a strong 3-and-D wing around their two new stars in five years. He will be 26 years old and just entering his prime as the 2028-29 season tips off.
SF: Andrew Wiggins
Wiggins, Draymond Green, and rookie Podziemski are under contract through 2027. Those are the three longest contracts on the Dubs books. Wiggins will be 33 years old or the same age as Draymond and Klay Thompson are right now in five years.
The 6’7 wing became an All-Star and completely changed the perception of his play after joining the Warriors. He was an outstanding defender during their 2022 title run and his efficiency has improved. Wiggins may be scoring less than his Minnesota days, but he is doing it by shooting 47-plus percent from the field and 39 percent on his 3-point tries.
Andrew Wiggins is just starting a four-year extension and the franchise will likely work out a new deal with the 6’7 wing in a few years. The salary cap is expected to climb significantly, so do not be surprised to see Wiggs get a raise. He will likely be the team’s third-best player in 2028 and play a key role in their success.
Keeping Andrew Wiggins and convincing Darius Garland to come to the Bay Area means the Golden State Warriors must stay in contention. They will need a superstar for that, and there could be plenty of unhappy ones with their current situation over the next five years. Can the Dubs land arguably the best player in the world right now?
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis opened the door to exiting Milwaukee in a recent New York Times interview. He wants his team to be all-in on winning a championship, and the Dubs have proven willing to do that. They are well over the second tax apron this season and have spent hundreds of millions in tax penalties in recent years.
The Greek Freak is arguably the best player in the world right now. He led the Bucks to the best regular season record in the NBA last season before they were shockingly bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Miami Heat. Giannis piloted them to a championship in 2021 and is unstoppable with the ball in his hands.
Giannis will be 33 years old and turn 34 in December of 2028. Stephen Curry led the Dubs to their fourth title in 2022 when he was 33 and turned 34 during the season. The Dubs superstar was still at the peak of his powers, and Giannis will be too.
Antetokounmpo has a player option in 2025, but a ton can change over the next five years. The Golden State Warriors could be his third team. They would have $37 million to offer in free agency in 2025, but that means letting Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, and Kevon Looney walk and Giannis taking a massive pay cut. Antetokounmpo likely takes a max contract, and the Dubs would have to trade for him. If the Greek Freak wants to come to the Bay Area, the Warriors will find a way to make it happen.
C: Kevon Looney
Predicting the Warriors starting center in 2028 is not easy. Looney keeps improving, but he will be 32 years old and has a significant injury history. The 6’9 big man has played in all 82 games in back-to-back years. Can he stay healthy over the next five?
Head coach Steve Kerr loves Loon, and the 57-year-old will still be coaching in five years if the Golden State Warriors remain in contention. Things will not be easy with a Giannis and Looney frontcourt, but Draymond is not a floor spacer. The Warriors’ current starting center likely plays 20-25 minutes per game as the Dubs open the game with a big lineup before going small with Giannis at the five to finish.
Looney will remain an elite rebounder and can make some plays. Golden State will certainly switch up their offense, but the 6’9 big man’s versatile skill set will make things easier on the Warriors as they look to keep the dynasty rolling.
How will the Golden State Warriors exit their current era and continue winning with a new core? Can they get Giannis Antetokounmpo or another superstar to replace Stephen Curry? It is championship or bust in 2024, but the front office must remake the roster soon to stay in contention. Stay tuned to see how it shakes out.
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