Defying and Adapting
Old is Gold. This is the new look of the Golden State Warriors. As the second-oldest roster in the league with an average player age of 29.3, the Warriors are looking for one more Stephen Curry-led championship.
For the Warriors, keeping up with young talent meant acquiring Al Horford from free agency, adding much-needed spacing to their historically small lineup. Head coach Steve Kerr, in his 11th year with the Warriors, talked about this new signing with enthusiasm on NBC Sports.
“The beauty of Al is that he’s very versatile,” Kerr said. “Al Horford can play in any lineup. He can be a four and space the floor.”
Additionally, the acquisitions of De’Anthony Melton and Seth Curry, and the re-signings of Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II, aim to give the team flexibility on both sides of the ball. Kuminga, now stepping into a starting position, brings a youthful spark to an experienced well-oiled machine, while Payton remains as a defensive expert—particularly in his ability to lock down guards on the perimeter.
Off-season and draft picks
The 2025 offseason has seen it all. From the most hyped draft class in years to blockbuster trades, the NBA is going through a true changing of the guard. As stars from the 2010s retire, a new generation is stepping out of the shadows and into the limelight. Perversely, fighting the decline of the 2010s stardom, Kevin Durant’s stunning trade from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets shows the value a seasoned veteran has on an inexperienced roster. The Warriors, following similarly, refuse to rebuild, signing veterans to an already experienced lineup.
Headlining the overall shift in the league was the controversial drafting order of the 2025 draft. The Dallas Mavericks, jumping 10 spots and defying the 1.8% chance for the No. 1 pick, selected Duke power forward Cooper Flagg. Following him, shooting guards Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecombe went to the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively. All three prospects have been lauded for their potential to become franchise players. Each embodies the league’s transition to new athletic talent — an obstacle the Warriors must hurdle.
A thunderous new standard
Coming into the 2025-2026 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) are the No. 1-ranked team in the NBA. As the defending champions, the Thunder have retained most of their core players and have the highest chance of topping the West. The Warriors, in comparison, are ranked between ninth and eleventh in power rankings, according to ESPN, CBS, and NBC.
Unsurprisingly, the Thunder have the best chance of going back-to-back, with current MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge. At only +200 to +220 underdogs, CBS Sports and Fox Sports believe the reigning champions have a roughly one-third chance of being the first team to win consecutive titles since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. However, ESPN predicts the Warriors will top the West with a 63-19 record, beating out the defending champions, and go on to the NBA finals, where they will lose to the Orlando Magic.
Can experience win championships?
As the Warriors enter the 2025-2026 season, the debate between experience and youth will be answered. The Golden State Warriors, built on championship DNA, have survived the test of time. Yet, in a league that has younger, quicker, and stronger players, the question is not just about competing, but how a veteran roster can adapt and evolve to challenge the current standard. This season is not just about chasing another ring; it’s about proving old is gold.
