Steve Kerr didn’t mince words. He didn’t hide behind generalities. He looked into the cameras during his exit interview and said exactly what everyone in the organization has been thinking.
“We need some younger legs for sure.”
Not “we need to get younger eventually.” Not “we’d like to add some youth.” We need younger legs for sure.
That’s a mandate. That’s a directive. And it should guide every single decision the Golden State Warriors make this offseason.
Kerr elaborated on the problem:
“I think the last couple of years, frankly, have been difficult with the age, the collective age of our team—the injuries. I think we had like six guys this year who either couldn’t play back-to-backs or were on minutes restrictions, often at the same time.”
Six guys. Six players who couldn’t be counted on to actually play basketball. That’s not a team. That’s a retirement home with a practice facility.
The Warriors finished 37-45. They missed the playoffs. And now they’re facing an offseason that will determine whether the Curry era ends with a whimper or a roar.
Let me break down what Kerr’s comments mean, which veterans are likely gone, and how the Warriors can finally get younger without completely bottoming out.
The Kerr Diagnosis: Age and Injuries Are Killing the Warriors
Let me start with the problem statement.
The Warriors have been one of the oldest teams in the NBA for years. That was fine when they were winning championships. Experience matters in the playoffs. Veterans know how to close games.
But last season, the wheels fell off.
Here’s who couldn’t play back-to-backs or were on minutes restrictions:
Stephen Curry (38 years old)
Draymond Green (36, player option)
Jimmy Butler (36, coming off torn ACL)
Al Horford (39, player option)
Kristaps Porzingis (30, but with a long injury history)
Gary Payton II (33, missed significant time in previous seasons)
That’s six players. Six guys who, at various points, were unavailable or limited.
You can’t win in the NBA when half your roster is on a pitch count. You can’t build chemistry. You can’t develop young players. You can’t do anything.
Kerr knows this. He’s been living it for two years. And he’s finally saying it out loud.
The Veterans Who Should Stay (For Now)
Let me be clear: the Warriors aren’t going to get rid of everyone.
Stephen Curry isn’t going anywhere. He’s the franchise. He’s the reason the Warriors exist as a contender. He’ll be on the roster until he decides to retire.
Draymond Green will likely exercise his player option. He’s 36. He’s not getting more money elsewhere. He’s the defensive anchor. He stays.
Jimmy Butler is under contract. He’s recovering from a torn ACL. The Warriors can’t trade him until he proves he’s healthy. He stays — for now.
Kristaps Porzingis is too important to let walk. He’s 30. He’s a unicorn when healthy. The Warriors will re-sign him.
Al Horford has a player option. He’s 39. He might retire. He might come back. But he can’t be a starter anymore.
That’s five veterans. That’s the core. That’s the “old” group.
But the Warriors need to stop there. They cannot have more than five players in this category.
The Veterans Who Should Go: Seth Curry and Gary Payton II
Let me talk about the two most obvious casualties.
Seth Curry (35 years old):
Seth played just 10 games last season. Ten. That’s not a typo. A 35-year-old shooting guard who is supposed to provide spacing and shooting played 10 games.
The Warriors cannot afford to use one of their 15 standard contracts on a player who had that much trouble staying healthy. It doesn’t matter that his last name is Curry. It doesn’t matter that he’s Stephen’s brother.
He’s a liability. He’s gone.
Gary Payton II (33 years old):
This one is harder. Payton played 73 games last season — second-most on the team. At the veteran minimum, that’s incredible value.
But here’s the problem: Payton missed 60 games in 2022-23, 38 in 2023-24, and 20 in 2024-25. Last season’s health was the exception, not the rule.
The Warriors need to ask themselves: is it likely he’ll be that healthy again? Or is he going to revert to his injury-prone history?
At 33, with a game built on athleticism and defense, the answer is probably the latter.
The Warriors should be able to find a younger player for cheap who can replace Payton’s production and has a better chance to get through the season without a significant injury.
The Mid-Prime Player Strategy: What Anthony Slater Said
Let me bring in some expert analysis.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater appeared on 95.7 The Game on Wednesday and put it perfectly. The Warriors need more “mid-prime players.”
Not old. Not young and undeveloped. Mid-prime. Players in their mid-to-late 20s who can contribute immediately and stay healthy.
Who qualifies as “mid-prime”? Here are some potential bargain-bin free agents:
Jordan Goodwin (27 years old)
Keon Ellis (26 years old)
Josh Okogie (27 years old)
Collin Gillespie (26 years old)
These aren’t stars. They’re not even starters on most teams. But they’re young, they’re cheap, and they can play.
The Warriors used their mid-level exception on Al Horford last season. This offseason, they should use it on a mid-prime player — someone who can give them 70+ games and 20+ reliable minutes per night.
The Draft: Two Picks, Maybe More
Let me talk about the draft.
The Warriors have two picks: No. 11 and No. 54. The 11th pick is valuable. That should be a rotation player immediately — a young wing or big man who can contribute.
The 54th pick is a dart throw. But the Warriors have found gems in the second round before.
There’s also a path to acquiring a second first-round pick. The Warriors have four first-round picks available to trade. They could package one with a player to move up or acquire another pick.
However many picks they make, they need to hit. No more project players who won’t contribute for two years. They need guys who can play now.
The Roster Blueprint: What It Could Look Like
Let me give you a specific vision.
Veterans (5 max):
Stephen Curry (38)
Jimmy Butler (36, injured)
Draymond Green (36)
Al Horford (39, if he opts in)
Kristaps Porzingis (30)
Mid-prime players (4-5):
MLE signing (mid-20s)
Two veteran minimum signings (mid-20s)
Moses Moody (24)
Gui Santos (24)
Players on rookie contracts (4-5):
Brandin Podziemski (23)
Will Richard (24)
No. 11 pick
No. 54 pick
Potential second first-round pick
That’s 14-15 players. That’s a roster that’s younger, healthier, and more sustainable.
Notice who’s missing: Seth Curry, Gary Payton II, and any other veteran over 30 who isn’t named Curry, Butler, Green, Horford, or Porzingis.
The Butler and Moody Injuries: A Wrinkle in the Plan
Let me address the complication.
Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are expected to miss at least half of next season. Butler is recovering from a torn ACL. Moody is recovering from a season-ending injury.
That means the Warriors will be shorthanded to start the year. They need players who can step in and contribute immediately.
That’s another reason to prioritize mid-prime players over veterans. A 27-year-old can play 35 minutes a night if needed. A 35-year-old cannot.
The Warriors’ young core — Podziemski, Santos, Richard, the draft picks — will get more opportunities. That’s a silver lining.
What the Warriors Should NOT Do
Let me give you a list of mistakes to avoid.
Do not re-sign Seth Curry. It doesn’t matter how cheap he is. He can’t stay healthy.
Do not guarantee Gary Payton II a roster spot. Let him compete in training camp. If he earns it, fine. But don’t hand it to him.
Do not use the mid-level exception on another 35+ player. Last year it was Horford. Horford is a legend, but that signing didn’t move the needle. Use the MLE on a mid-prime player.
Do not draft a project. The Warriors need immediate help. Draft a player who can play 15-20 minutes as a rookie.
Do not trade future first-round picks for a rental. The Warriors aren’t one player away. Don’t mortgage the future for a short-term fix.
Final Verdict: Youth Is the Only Path Forward
Here’s my honest take.
The Golden State Warriors are not going to win another championship with a roster full of 35-year-olds. That era is over. The math doesn’t work. The bodies don’t hold up.
But they can still be competitive. They can still make the playoffs. They can still give Stephen Curry a fighting chance.
The key is getting younger. Not tanking. Not rebuilding. Just replacing old, injured players with young, healthy ones.
Steve Kerr said it himself: “We need some younger legs for sure.”
Now the front office has to listen.
Seth Curry should be gone. Gary Payton II should be let go or relegated to a training camp invite. The mid-level exception should go to a 27-year-old, not a 37-year-old.
The Warriors have two draft picks. They have the ability to acquire more. They have a young core in Podziemski, Santos, and Richard.
The blueprint is there. The question is whether the Warriors have the courage to follow it.
One thing’s certain: If the Warriors run it back with the same old roster, they’ll get the same old result. And that result is missing the playoffs.