Goal:

My primary goal for 2025-26 is to restore our championship contention by fortifying our defense and deepening our roster. I’ll target a true rim-protecting center; via trade or free agency to anchor the paint and give our shooters more room. I’ll also lock in Jonathan Kuminga on a cost-controlled extension to cement his role as a versatile two-way forward. Finally, I’ll pursue a savvy backup point guard to safeguard the ball and preserve Steph’s late-game opportunities, while doubling down on scouting and player development to keep our bench production consistent.

Trades:

• Trade 1: The sole missing piece to Bay Area 🌉

Warriors sends: Moses Moody, '30 SRP & '31 SRP (ORL holds right to swap)

Warriors receives: Goga Bitadze

I moved Moses Moody and future picks to acquire Goga Bitadze because his elite rim-protection and rebounding directly address our interior defensive lapses. Bitadze’s mobility and instincts in the paint bolsters our rotations without hindering our salary flexibility. His ability to space the floor with high-IQ passing and seamless pick-and-roll execution dovetails perfectly with Steve Kerr’s pace-and-space, positionless framework.

This trade solidifies our paint defense, generates cleaner perimeter looks for our star shooters, and accelerates our push back to championship contention.

"How is this beneficial for the Orlando Magic? 🎩🪄

Trading Goga Bitadze for Moses Moody and two future picks strengthens their young core with an improving two-way wing and adds valuable draft capital. By declining Gary Harris’ team option, they clear salary to preserve financial flexibility and invest in talent development. Moody’s steady growth and the extra picks give them the building blocks to accelerate their push toward playoff contention.

Overall, adding Moody’s versatile two-way game and extra draft capital while clearing Harris’s salary deepens their bench and gives them more reliable rotation options behind their starters.

Draft:

With the 41st pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors select... Dink Pate from Mexico City Capitanes

I drafted Dink Pate at the #41st pick because his elite perimeter shooting and on-ball defense translate immediately to our bench. His 6’8” frame and 7’0” wingspan fit perfectly in Coach Kerr’s switch-heavy system, and his 40 percent field goal mark in the G-League bolsters our spacing. Pate’s high basketball IQ and work ethic mean he’ll embrace our culture quickly, and his rookie-scale deal keeps us financially flexible. This late second-round pick is a low-risk, high-upside move that deepens our wing rotation and two-way identity.

Free Agency:

• Free Agency Signing 1: Gary Payton II ($14,560,000/2yrs) (+8% per year)

Re-signing Gary Payton II on a $14.56 million, two-year deal secures our premier perimeter defender and lockdown wing who brings energy and hustle every night. His familiarity with our system and chemistry with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green ensure seamless rotations, while his affordable contract preserves cap flexibility for future roster adjustments.

• Free Agency Signing 2: Jonathan Kuminga ($92,375,296/4yrs) (+8% per year)

Locking in Jonathan Kuminga with a four-year, $92.4 million deal secures our emerging two-way forward at a cost-controlled rate, ensuring we retain his high-upside talent through his prime. His blend of athleticism, defensive versatility, and developing offensive game complements our core and sustains the team’s long-term timeline. This extension also provides financial certainty, allowing us to plan future moves without worrying about his escalating market value. Moreover, Kuminga’s work ethic and fit within our culture promise continued growth, both on the court and as a leader in the locker room. Even though he bloomed late against the Wolves. I still have high hopes for him.

• Free Agency Signing 3: Tyus Jones ($14,040,000/2yrs; Player Option) (+8% per year)

Signing Tyus Jones in Free Agency on a two-year, $14 million deal (with a player option) brings us a proven floor general whose elite pick-and-roll mastery and ball security will anchor our second unit. His exceptional assist-to-turnover ratio and clutch decision-making relieve late-game pressure on Stephen Curry and maintain offensive fluidity. By declining his Non-Bird rights and negotiating in free agency, we preserved cap flexibility and landed a market-appropriate contract. Jones’s veteran savvy and seamless fit in Coach Kerr’s system bolster our depth and sustain our championship aspirations. Moreover, his leadership and work ethic will accelerate the growth of our younger guards and reinforce our culture of accountability.

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Overall Depth Chart:

• PG) Stephen Curry

• SG) Brandin Podziemski

• SF) Jimmy Butler

• PF) Draymond Green

• C) Goga Bitadze

Bench:

• PG) Tyus Jones

• SG) Buddy Hield

• SF) Gary Payton II

• PF) Jonathan Kuminga

• C) Trayce Jackson-Davis

Overall and Summary:

This roster construction blends championship-proven stars with high-upside depth, giving us a balanced attack and stout defense. Our starting five—anchored by Steph Curry’s elite shooting, Brandin Podziemski’s playmaking, Jimmy Butler’s two-way grit, Draymond Green’s floor leadership, and Goga Bitadze’s rim protection creates mismatches across all five positions.

Off the bench, Tyus Jones steadies the second unit, Buddy Hield spaces the floor, Gary Payton II brings relentless perimeter defense, Jonathan Kuminga offers versatile two-way upside, and Trayce Jackson-Davis provides athletic finishing around the rim.

This group should average around 115 points per 100 possessions on offense while holding opponents to roughly 108, thanks to our switchable schemes and rebounding advantage. With that blend of youth and veteran savvy, I’d project a 50+ regular-season record, good for a top-five seed in the West.

I expect to rank in the top five in assist rate and top ten in defensive rating, reflecting our emphasis on ball movement and paint protection. If health holds, this team is positioned to make a deep playoff run and contend for a championship.

Golden State Warriors 2025 Ideal Offseason Spreadsheet + Suggest next 2025 Ideal Offseason Team in the comments.