Golden State Warriors Look to the Future with Optimism and Determination
Ohm YoungmisukMay 15, 2025, 08:05 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors have been on a rollercoaster ride this season, and it all started with the arrival of Jimmy Butler III in early February. Since then, the team has been playing at a playoff-level intensity, and superstar Stephen Curry is feeling optimistic about their chances of contending for a championship with Butler on board. The Warriors are eyeing a two-year window to make their mark.
Just a day after their season ended with a five-game Western Conference second-round series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green shared their thoughts on the future. They believe that with a few roster improvements and good health, the Warriors can clinch a title.
“Our contracts — me, Draymond, Steve, Jimmy — are all two years [more],” Curry said. “And we want this ride to last as long as possible. But it’s just about what does this team need for next year, answering those questions over the summer, everybody preparing themselves individually to get through another 82-game season hopefully with a little bit more of a comfort room down the stretch where we don’t have to have a two-month gauntlet just to make the playoffs.”
Curry’s excitement is palpable, especially with the clarity at the top of the roster, although he acknowledges that there are many decisions to be made over the summer.
The trio is left to ponder what might have been this postseason had Curry not suffered a Grade 1 strained left hamstring in the second quarter of Game 1 against Minnesota. Without Curry, the Warriors lost four consecutive games. Curry mentioned that had the series extended, he was on track for a potential return in Game 6, which would have been on Sunday. However, he still needed clearance and to get through some live basketball.
“Disappointed for sure,” Curry admitted. “We’ll imagine and believe that we could have won everything had we been healthy. But you move on.”
Reflecting on the past two months and the first-round series against Houston, Curry noted, “You look at the sample size the last two months and even the Houston [first-round] series when we had our mind focused on a goal, we had enough to accomplish it and get to a point where we were playing pretty high-level basketball. Does that mean we can win a championship? We hope so.”
Butler, who has been with the Warriors for a whirlwind three months after being traded from Miami, expressed his delight at joining forces with Curry and Green.
“I’m completely content with who I am as a basketball player, the way that I play the game,” Butler said. “And to come here and know that I’m second to Steph, I think that’s a really good thing, actually, when you talk about one of the greatest players ever to play this game. I get to come here and be his sidekick for a couple more years hopefully. It’s just refreshing. Then you’ve got some really high-level young talent that want to do well, that want to be great, and then the energy is at an all-time high. I don’t think there’s too much more that you can ask for.”
Butler’s impact was immediate. The Warriors were 25-26 before his debut on Feb. 8, but they went 23-8 afterward, boasting the third-best record for the remainder of the regular season. During that span, they ranked first in defensive efficiency, third in points per game allowed, and first in assists per game.
Butler averaged 17.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, but his presence and playmaking were transformative. In their play-in game, Butler secured the biggest defensive rebound and finished with 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists to beat the Memphis Grizzlies.
However, Butler faced challenges, including a nasty spill in Game 2 that resulted in a deep bruise in his tailbone, which Warriors coach Steve Kerr said “compromised” Butler’s physical ability against Minnesota. Despite these setbacks, Butler’s contribution was undeniable.
Green emphasized the importance of acquiring Butler, stating, “The biggest change that needed to be made was we needed someone like Jimmy Butler. And we made that change. I think the hardest part is done.”
Looking ahead, Butler, Curry, and Green are eager to have an offseason to work out and a training camp and full season together.
“There was a lot of chatter whether that was the right trade or not when it happened,” Curry said. “… But from the first game in Chicago to last night, it was a seamless fit. Me and him complemented each other so well. He gave us so much belief that we could beat anybody any given night and make a legitimate run at climbing up the standings and even having some playoff experience to look forward to.”
Curry concluded, “I think it was a success, and now you have to build off of that with a full season hopefully in front of us. I’m excited about it.”
- Key Players: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, Draymond Green
- Recent Record: 23-8 after Butler’s debut
- Rankings: 1st in defensive efficiency, 3rd in points per game allowed, 1st in assists per game
Originally Written by: Ohm Youngmisuk
