✅ Major Trade Summary
Outgoing:
Jonathan Kuminga (via sign-and-trade, $20M/year)
Moses Moody
2027 1st-Round Pick (Lottery Protected)
Incoming:
Andrew Wiggins (returning, $28.2M for 2 years)
Nick Richards (1-year, $5M expiring deal)
2026 & 2029 2nd-Round Picks (via PHX)
Royce O’Neale (routed to MIA)
De’Anthony Melton (signed FA, 1-year, $3.6M)
Al Horford (signed FA, 1-year, $5.6M)
Gary Payton II (re-signed, 1-year, $3.6M)
🧠 Strategic Goals Accomplished
Win-now mentality:
This move clearly shifts away from long-term upside (Kuminga/Moody) toward experienced, defensive-minded veterans like Wiggins, Horford, Melton, and GP2 — ideal around Curry, Butler, and Draymond.
Rebalanced depth chart:
Wing Depth Boosted: Wiggins re-joins as a key perimeter defender and versatile scorer. Melton and GP2 bring guard defense and hustle.
Frontcourt Depth: Horford adds veteran IQ, shooting, and floor-spacing. Nick Richards is an athletic lob threat off the bench.
Preserved financial flexibility:
All new deals (except Wiggins) are 1-year contracts, which keeps the 2026 books cleaner and avoids long-term tax traps.
📊 Updated Rotation (Post-Trade)
Starters:
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: De’Anthony Melton / Andrew Wiggins
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: Draymond Green
C: Al Horford / Trayce Jackson-Davis
Bench Core:
Brandin Podziemski
Buddy Hield (sniper)
Andrew Wiggins / De'Antony Melton
Gary Payton II
Gui Santos
Nick Richards
Quinten Post / Trayce Jackson-Davis (Big man depth)
🔍 Risk Assessment
Pros:
Adds battle-tested playoff talent.
Improves perimeter defense and floor spacing.
Keeps Steph’s title window alive while reducing reliance on youth.
Cons:
Sacrifices two promising young assets (Kuminga, Moody) + a 1st-rounder. (If the Warriors are in the lottery in 2027 that pick turns into two 2nd rounders)
Heavy cap hit (+$59.9M impact). (Still under the 2nd apron though, with short term deals.)
Still lacks a top-tier rim protector unless Richards develops fast.
📈 Net Impact
Defense: Improved on-ball pressure and rim protection (Melton, Wiggins) (Horford, Richards)
Offense: Better spacing and decision-making than prior bench units and starting units.
🏁 Verdict
This offseason structure is tailored for a two-year title run. By surrounding Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green with smart, gritty players, the Warriors are betting on experience and chemistry over young raw potential. They’re all-in — and with a healthy squad, this group can compete with anyone in the West. The goal is to help Steph capture #5.