The Golden State Warriors are facing uncertainty as they near the end of the Stephen Curry era, having struggled since their last championship in 2022. Following a recent playoff elimination, questions arise about the team's future and potential trade targets.
Key points
Golden State Warriors nearing end of Stephen Curry era
Team won four NBA titles from 2015 to 2022
Recent playoff struggles include second-round eliminations
Eliminated in final NBA Play-In game against Phoenix Suns
Questions arise about future and potential trades
Mentioned in this story
Stephen CurryKlay ThompsonDraymond Green
Golden State WarriorsPhoenix Suns
Warriors trade targets: Can Golden State preserve dynasty?
It all began when the Warriors took Curry with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. They followed that up with Klay Thompson in 2011, Draymond Green in 2012 and then built a championship dynasty, winning four NBA titles (2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022).
Since their last ring, they've been eliminated in the second round or missed the playoffs altogether. This season, they were eliminated in the final NBA Play-In game against the Phoenix Suns, which determined the No. 8 seed, sparking questions about the future of the Warriors, head coach Steve Kerr and what's next in the Curry era.
They believe that there would have been a different outcome if they didn't battle injuries to Curry all year, or experience Jimmy Butler's season-ending ACL tear. There's no quit in this team. The Warriors brass are confident they will be back next year.
They are looking to bring in another superstar to pair with Curry. Here are some trade targets the Warriors could be looking to acquire:
The NBA playoffs bring out more than high‑stakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the league’s biggest stage.
Q&A
What are the potential trade targets for the Golden State Warriors?
The article discusses various players the Warriors might consider trading to revitalize their roster.
How has the Golden State Warriors' performance changed since their last championship?
Since winning the title in 2022, the Warriors have either been eliminated in the second round or missed the playoffs entirely.
What does the future hold for Stephen Curry and the Warriors?
As the Warriors approach the end of the Curry era, there are growing concerns about the team's direction and leadership.
Why were the Warriors eliminated in the final NBA Play-In game?
The Warriors lost to the Phoenix Suns in the final NBA Play-In game, which determined the No. 8 seed for the playoffs.
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See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.
Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The shoes of Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
Shoes worn by Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
The Nike Lebron XXIII shoes worn by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) against the Houston Rockets in the first half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, at Crypto.com Arena.
Shoes worn by Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The shoes of Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
1 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The NBA playoffs bring out more than high‑stakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the league’s biggest stage.
See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.
Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
1 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The NBA playoffs bring out more than high‑stakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the league’s biggest stage.
See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.
Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
2 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
3 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
4 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
Shoes worn by Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
5 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The Nike Lebron XXIII shoes worn by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) against the Houston Rockets in the first half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, at Crypto.com Arena.
6 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
Shoes worn by Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
7 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
8 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
9 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
Golden State Warriors potential trade targets
There are many targets that the Warriors could pursue in the offseason. ESPN's Marc J. Spears said two months ago that Golden State will look to go after a big-time player to team up with Curry. Some options:
The Warriors flirted with talks of trading for Antetokounmpo around the trade deadline during the regular season, however discussions stalled out. Could those calls begin to funnel through again, now that both teams have turned their attention to the offseason?
Leonard's time in Los Angeles could be coming to an end with the Clippers, especially amid the Aspiration fiasco. The Warriors can strike while the iron's hot and make a move to pursue to Leonard. ESPN has already put together a mock trade offer that would send Butler to LA in return for Leonard.
Whenever there's a potential rumor that Durant and his current team are disgruntled with one another, everyone wants to send Durant back to the Bay Area. Even though, when he made the move a decade ago, it was frowned upon, seemingly causing a talent imbalance in the league. Reports say that Durant and Rockets coach Ime Udoka are essential pieces to the Rockets future, but a reunion between the Warriors and the two-time Finals MVP would be almost like a storybook ending.
Murray to the Warriors would be a major backcourt upgrade. The Denver Nuggets could look to move off of their combo point guard that was selected seventh overall in 2016. Golden State could create a respectable package deal that would give the Nuggets a solid return value, according to Heavy's Sean Deveney.
Gordon, Murray's teammate, is reportedly no longer off the table when it comes to trade discussions and is being shopped. There hasn't been anything linking both parties, but Gordon could give the Warriors, and Curry, a few more years of playoff contention and championship relevance.
The Lakers are not trading LeBron James. (He's set to be a free agent.) However, there's been speculation over James and Curry teaming up for the past few years. Of course, the Warriors made a bid for James via trade with the Lakers, which was shut down. Spears believes a big move is on the horizon for the Warriors, whether it's James, Antetokounmpo or another superstar.
