Life After LeBron: How the Warriors Can Save Steph Curry’s Closing Window

Read Time:3 Minute, 30 Second

Missing out on LeBron James leaves the Golden State Warriors at a critical, defining crossroads. The franchise swung big for a generational superstar to partner with Stephen Curry for one final, iconic run, but with LeBron heading to Philadelphia, Golden State’s front office must quickly pivot before the summer slips away.

Here is a breakdown of what comes next for Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and the future of the Warriors dynasty.

1. Steph Curry’s Extension: Will He Sign the $136M Deal?

Stephen Curry becomes eligible in late August for a two-year extension worth nearly $140 million, which would tie him to Golden State through the 2028–29 season when he turns 41.

Despite the frustration of missing out on premier offseason targets, Steph is virtually certain to remain a Warrior for life. Neither side has an interest in a divorce. However, the timing of his signature is where Curry holds immense leverage:

Option A: The Pressure Play. Curry could hold off on signing the extension immediately, putting pressure on General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and owner Joe Lacob to make an aggressive trade using their remaining assets before the season begins.
Option B: The Commitment. He signs the extension as a show of stability, giving the front office the green light to operate with the certainty that #30 isn’t going anywhere.

Curry is still playing at an All-NBA level. The front office owes it to him to use every asset available to maximize whatever is left of his prime.

2. What Happens with Draymond Green?

Draymond Green’s timeline is attached at the hip to Curry’s. Green holds a player option for the 2026–27 season from the four-year, $100 million deal he signed in 2023.

Contract Aspect	Draymond Green’s Status
Current Deal	4 years / $100M (Signed 2023)
2026–27 Option	$27.6M Player Option
Goal of Extension	Align years with Curry’s timeline through 2028

If Golden State wants to maintain its defensive identity, expect a multi-year extension that aligns Draymond’s deal directly with Curry’s new timeline. While Green’s offensive limitations and volatile history require careful contract structuring, his defensive processing and chemistry with Curry remain irreplaceable in Steve Kerr’s system. Signing a shorter, incentivized 2-year extension or declining his option to restructure into a longer, lower-AAV deal keeps the core intact while preserving flexibility.

3. The Blueprint: How Golden State Pivots Now

With LeBron off the board, the Warriors must accept that the “Two-Timeline” era—trying to develop youth while competing for titles—is officially dead. They have to go all-in on win-now moves.

A. Package the Young Assets for a Co-Star

The Warriors still possess intriguing trade chips:

Brandin Podziemski & Moses Moody: Capable young rotation pieces.
Draft Capital: Future first-round picks plus their 2026 lottery pick.

If a disgruntled star wing or elite scoring guard becomes available before camp or near the trade deadline, Golden State has the salary and young talent to make a compelling offer.

B. Upgrade the Interior and Perimeter Shooting

Without a third superstar, and with Jimmy Butler missing this season, the Warriors must elevate the baseline of their roster depth. They desperately need a legit rim-protecting big man who can stretch the floor, as well as another high-volume secondary creator so Curry doesn’t have to carry a 35% usage rate every single night.

Is This the End of the Warriors Dynasty?

The Dynasty as a dominant, effortless juggernaut is over. The days of Golden State entering opening night as default Western Conference favorites are in the rearview mirror. The West is simply too deep, too young, and too athletic, with teams like Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Minnesota, and Dallas leading the new era.

However, the Dynasty as a dangerous Playoff Contender is not dead as long as Stephen Curry wears the uniform.

If the front office uses its remaining trade assets to land a legitimate second scoring option, Golden State can still be a nightmare matchup in a seven-game playoff series. But if they stand pat and rely solely on internal development, Curry’s closing window will officially shut for good.