Golden State Warriors Shock NBA with Blockbuster Offseason Trade—How the Move Supercharges Stephen Curry’s Next Title Push

The Golden State Warriors entered the 2025 NBA free-agency window with an urgent mandate: rebuild a championship-caliber supporting cast around Stephen Curry while keeping future flexibility intact. Four days in, the picture is becoming clearer. Front-office strategy General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has made retaining two-way forward Jonathan Kuminga a top priority; league sources indicate talks on a four-year extension in the $110 million range are “progressing smoothly,” with optimism a deal is struck before July 8. Securing Kuminga’s athleticism and on-ball defense would lock in the franchise’s bridge to the post-Curry era. Key departures The first major loss came when veteran center Kevon Looney agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, ending a nine-season Bay Area tenure. Looney’s elite offensive-rebound rate (11.6 OREB%) will be difficult to replace, forcing Golden State to scour the market for a bargain big who can switch on the perimeter. Splash Brother watch Klay Thompson remains unsigned. League insiders say the Warriors are willing to offer a two-year deal worth roughly $38 million, while Thompson’s camp seeks a third year partially guaranteed. If talks stall, Golden State could pivot to sharpshooter Seth Curry, whose 40.2 percent career three-point mark would preserve floor spacing alongside his older brother. Backcourt upgrade rumors Multiple reports link the Warriors to 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, whose crafty pick-and-roll play could stabilize the second unit. A potential sign-and-trade with Portland centered on Moses Moody and future seconds has been discussed, but salary matching remains a hurdle given Brogdon’s projected $24 million first-year number. Veteran frontcourt targets Stephen Curry publicly endorsed the idea of adding 38-year-old Al Horford, praising the Celtics big man’s locker-room presence during last week’s American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe. Horford’s ability to stretch to the corners (42.1 percent from three in 2024-25) would open driving lanes for Curry pick-and-rolls—a schematic wrinkle head coach Steve Kerr coveted after finishing just 17th in offensive rating. Cap math and Curry’s window Curry’s megamax contract climbs to $59.6 million in 2025-26, consuming roughly 36 percent of the projected $166 million salary cap. With luxury-tax penalties skyrocketing under the new collective-bargaining agreement, Golden State is emphasizing one-plus-one deals and veteran minimums to dodge the repeater tax. Internally, the franchise sees a two-year championship window before the 37-year-old superstar reassesses his career trajectory. What’s next • July 6: Moratorium ends; Kuminga extension could become official. • Mid-July: Summer-league evaluation of rookies Zyhir Hampton and Luka Vranković will guide the front office’s remaining roster spots. • August 1: Final day to use the $5.2 million taxpayer mid-level exception—likely earmarked for a stretch-five if Horford signs elsewhere. Bottom line The Warriors’ path back to contention hinges on threading a delicate needle: re-signing Thompson or finding his shooting elsewhere, landing a versatile front-court anchor, and preserving cap agility for a potential superstar trade deadline splash. Fail, and Curry’s twilight years risk slipping into merely nostalgic highlights; succeed, and the Chase Center could host one more Bay Parade before the dynasty’s last dance concludes.