Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is no stranger to making headlines, and he’s at it again with a fiery prediction that’s got the NBA world buzzing: the Warriors are bringing home the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the 2025-26 season. Fresh off an intense summer workout with teammate and six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, Green’s confidence is soaring, and he’s ready to back it up on the court.
“We’re about six weeks out, right where I need to be, baby. And we’re getting that [expletive] this year,” Green declared in an Instagram video posted by Butler, his eyes locked on the championship prize. The bold statement, delivered with Green’s signature swagger, is a clear message to the league: the Warriors are coming, and they’re coming hard.
Green’s championship guarantee is more than just bravado—it’s a reflection of the renewed fire within the Warriors’ camp. Last season, the team was teetering on the edge of mediocrity before Butler’s blockbuster trade to Golden State at the deadline. His arrival flipped the script, sparking a 23-8 run that transformed the Warriors from a play-in hopeful to the No. 7 seed in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
“Before Jimmy got here, we were kind of lost, thinking we had it figured out but never really finding our groove,” Green admitted on TNT during last season’s All-Star Game. “Since he’s been here, we walk into every game believing we’re going to win. That belief goes a long way in this league.”
That belief carried the Warriors to a stunning first-round upset over the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets. However, their playoff run was cut short in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, hampered by a hamstring injury to superstar Stephen Curry. Despite the setback, Green’s conviction hasn’t wavered—he’s doubling down for the upcoming season.
While Green’s optimism is infectious, NBA analysts remain cautious about the Warriors’ championship prospects. The Western Conference is a gauntlet, stacked with powerhouses like the Timberwolves, Thunder, and Nuggets. ESPN’s Anthony Slater projects Golden State to finish the 2025-26 season with a 48-34 record, landing them back in the play-in tournament as the No. 7 seed.
“The West is so crowded with contenders that a couple of them will inevitably be bumped into the play-in bracket,” Slater wrote. “For older teams like the Warriors, that’s particularly dangerous. They’ll likely spend the final month in a full-out standings sprint without the extra week of rest that top seeds get. But if Curry, Butler, and Green are healthy, the seventh or eighth seed could still be a nightmare for the West’s elite.”
The Warriors’ postseason run last year proved they can punch above their weight, but the road to a title will demand peak performance from their veteran core.
Golden State’s offseason has been quiet but strategic, with roster moves hinging on ongoing negotiations with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. Once Kuminga’s deal is finalized, NBA insider Jake Fischer reports the Warriors are expected to add four key pieces: veteran big man Al Horford, sharpshooter De’Anthony Melton, defensive sparkplug Gary Payton II, and second-round pick Will Richard.
The addition of 39-year-old Horford to the starting lineup will make the Warriors one of the oldest teams in the league, with four starters—Curry, Green, Butler, and Horford—in their mid-to-late 30s. Critics question whether this veteran-heavy roster can keep up with the West’s younger, faster teams, but Green and company are banking on experience, grit, and chemistry to defy the odds.
Draymond Green’s championship declaration is a bold bet on the Warriors’ heart and hustle. With Butler’s relentless drive, Curry’s unparalleled shooting, and Green’s defensive tenacity, Golden State has the pieces to make a serious run. But in a loaded Western Conference, health, execution, and a bit of luck will be critical.