{"id":194797,"date":"2026-05-11T16:08:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T20:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=194797"},"modified":"2026-05-12T07:56:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T11:56:30","slug":"warriors-reportedly-to-pursue-star-to-pair-with-stephen-curry-what-are-their-options-and-trade-chips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/05\/11\/warriors-reportedly-to-pursue-star-to-pair-with-stephen-curry-what-are-their-options-and-trade-chips\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Intriguing Players Who The Warriors Could Pursue As They Search For Steph Curry’s Star Co-Hort"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Golden State Warriors secured one of their key pieces for next year by agreeing to terms with head coach Steve Kerr on a two-year contract yesterday. Now, it’s onto building the roster into what Kerr and Stephen Curry<\/a> hope to end in a fifth championship.<\/p>\n

Warriors To Pursue Star To Pair With Steph Curry<\/h2>\n

After allowing his contract to expire after this past season, Kerr will remain the NBA’s highest-paid head coach,<\/a> according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater. The 60-year-old made a league-high $17.5 million last season.<\/p>\n

Kerr’s new contract means that he will head into his 13th season at the helm of the franchise. Kerr owns a 604-353 record with eight playoff appearances. He has guided the Warriors to six NBA Finals, winning four championships.<\/p>\n

Despite Kerr’s success, the Warriors have missed the playoffs in four of the last seven seasons. Injuries have been a major reason that the Dubs have not reached the postseason on each of those occasions, including this past season<\/a>. The Warriors finished 10th in the West with a 37-45 record as Curry and Jimmy Butler<\/a> played in a combined 81 games. Al Horford<\/a> sat out 37 contests, and Kristaps Porzingis<\/a> missed half of his 30 games with the Warriors.<\/p>\n

Golden State will enter the 2026-27 season shorthanded, as Butler (torn ACL) and Moses Moody<\/a> (torn patellar tendon) are recovering from major knee injuries<\/a>. Both players are expected to miss at least the first three months of the upcoming campaign, according to Slater.<\/p>\n

Warriors 2026-27 Roster Building Plan<\/h3>\n

The Warriors have nine players under contract for next season, totaling $181.9 million in salaries, leaving them $19.5 million below the tax threshold. Horford ($5.96 million), Draymond Green<\/a> ($27.6 million), and De’Anthony Melton<\/a> ($3.4 million) all hold player options.<\/p>\n

Horford is still deciding whether to play a 20th season, while Green is expected to return, if he wants to<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“<\/span>Kerr’s return is at least a pledge from the organization to value the present even while planning for the future,” Slater writes. “In that vein, team sources have indicated that they have no intention to shop Green or push him out. On the court, they still view him as an additive winner with an elite defensive skill set that plays up when the stakes rise.“<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, the Warriors will pursue a star running mate<\/a> for Curry.<\/p>\n

The 37-year-old is coming off a strong season, despite being limited to 43 games<\/a>. Curry will make $62.5 million in the final season of his current contract, though he is eligible for a one or two-year extension in August. At this point, he’s expected to add one or two extra seasons to his deal before calling it a career.<\/p>\n

“[Kerr’s return] should also make extension conversations with Curry simpler later in the summer,” Slater adds. “The franchise icon has long expressed a desire to remain with the Warriors the entirety of his career. He can add either one or two seasons to his current deal, which has one season remaining, when he becomes extension-eligible in August. Having Kerr locked in should ease Curry’s concern of a franchise in complete transition, even if the championship ceiling is no longer there.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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Who Could The Warriors Pursue, How Could They Acquire Them?<\/h3>\n

The Warriors have been linked to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James<\/a>, and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard<\/a> for a while.<\/p>\n

Antetokounmpo seems like a long shot and is not an ideal fit<\/a> for the Warriors. The 31-year-old is slated to make $58.4 million this upcoming season with a player option for 2027-28. He’s also extension eligible for a monster four-year extension.<\/p>\n

James makes the most sense, as the 41-year-old is set to be an unrestricted free agent. He would be the Warriors’ top facilitator, allowing Curry to shoot off the move where he thrives — screens, fades, and Iverson cuts.<\/p>\n

James would not have to leave California, and he even has a close relationship with Curry. The Warriors could use the $9.3 million non-taxpayer exception to sign James, though he will likely command $15-20 million total. Also, the Warriors would likely be willing to trade for Bronny James<\/a> to ensure LeBron finishes his career with him. However, this all assumes James wants to leave the Lakers, though not for a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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How The Warriors Trade For Kawhi Leonard<\/h4>\n

Leonard also makes sense for the Warriors and is one of the more optimal short-term solutions. Leonard is on an expiring $50.3 million deal in 2026-27, and the 34-year-old produced a career-high 27.9 points a game. Like James, Leonard would take pressure off Curry, though he is a better scorer at this stage. He’s always been the better defender and 3-point shooter.<\/p>\n

At first glance, the Warriors don’t have a clear path to acquire Leonard unless one of Green, Butler, or Porzingis is involved. Porzingis would have to be included in a sign-and-trade as he’s a free agent and the Warriors hold his Bird Rights.<\/p>\n

However, the Clippers’ guaranteed salary is only $118 million for the upcoming season. With Ivica Zubac<\/a> no longer in LA after being dealt to<\/a> the Indiana Pacers in February, the Clippers may seriously consider bringing the 30-year-old in. The Clippers, who received the No. 5 pick<\/a> in this year’s draft from Indiana, project to be $2.7 million under the cap.<\/p>\n

Warriors Receive:<\/h5>\n

Kawhi Leonard<\/em><\/p>\n

Clippers Receive:<\/h5>\n

Brandin Podziemski<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

De’Anthony Melton<\/em><\/p>\n

Kristaps Porzingis (sign-and-trade)<\/em><\/p>\n

2026 first-round pick (No. 11<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

2029 first-round pick<\/em><\/p>\n

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Other Potential Targets<\/h3>\n

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III<\/a> has been linked to the Warriors since at least the summer. But there a couple of other interesting trade candidates, namely Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon<\/a> and Boston Celtics guard Derrick White<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Murphy is the ideal trade target for the Warriors as he’s a budding star. The 25-year-old wing has improved each year and is coming off a career season, averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. He also has developed into a consistent high-volume 3-point shooter, knocking down a personal-best 3.2 treys last season with shooting splits of 47.0\/37.9\/88.6.<\/p>\n

It is unknown if the Pelicans are looking to move Murphy, who will make $27 million this year. But the Pelicans finished the year 11th in the West with 26 wins and traded their 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta to move up 15 spots for Derik Queen<\/a> in last year’s draft.<\/p>\n

Like Murphy, White is an elite two-way player. While not as dynamic offensively, White is a better defender than Murphy. The 31-year-old combo guard, who will make $30 million this year and has two additional years on his contract, was also productive this past season. However, he wasn’t as efficient as he normally is, as his offensive workload was expanded due to Boston being without Jayson Tatum<\/a>. The Celtics may be willing to trade White due to his salary and their playoff shortcomings<\/a>, though at this point, it would be difficult for the Warriors to make a deal for him.<\/p>\n

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Josh Kroenke says everything is on the table for the Nuggets this offseason, except trading Nikola Jokic \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/p>\n

“Everything’s on the table right now, outside of trading Nikola.”<\/p>\n

“I think we need to have running it back as a possibility.” pic.twitter.com\/dgY7UBfBjc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) May 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n