The Golden State Warriors are at a critical juncture. With Stephen Curry still dazzling the NBA with his unparalleled shooting, the team is racing against time to maximize the twilight of his legendary career. The addition of Jimmy Butler has bolstered their roster, but as the 2025 NBA offseason looms, one glaring issue stands in the way of another championship run. Can the Warriors fix their over-reliance on Curry’s brilliance and build a more balanced attack? Let’s dive into the biggest fix Golden State must prioritize this summer to reclaim their spot atop the NBA.
The Curry Dependency Dilemma
The Warriors’ 2024-2025 season showcased both their potential and their limitations. As Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report pointed out, Golden State’s offense heavily depends on Stephen Curry, a fact painfully evident in their playoff performance. Ranking 16th in offensive efficiency during the regular season, the Warriors showed flashes of brilliance post-All-Star break, climbing to 7th in offensive rating. However, the postseason told a different story. In their five-game series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Warriors’ offensive rating plummeted to a dismal 104.5, placing them 13th out of 16 playoff teams. Without Curry firing on all cylinders, the team struggled to generate consistent scoring.
Buckley’s analysis hits the nail on the head: “Their inability to get a single playoff win without [Curry] suggests they probably didn’t have enough to win big even if they had kept him upright.” This over-reliance on one player, even one as transcendent as Curry, is a recipe for postseason disappointment. The Warriors’ model—built on ferocious defense and Curry’s offensive wizardry—needs a deeper offensive arsenal to compete with the league’s elite.
The Need for Support Scoring
The most pressing fix for the Warriors in the 2025 offseason is clear: they must bolster their support scoring. While Jimmy Butler’s arrival adds a dynamic two-way star alongside Curry and Draymond Green, the team still lacks consistent secondary scoring options. The Warriors’ mediocre offensive efficiency this season highlights the need for players who can create their own shots and alleviate the pressure on Curry. Without additional scoring threats, defenses can key in on Curry, clogging the paint and daring others to step up—a challenge Golden State has struggled to meet.
The Warriors’ front office has a strong foundation to build upon, with Butler’s defensive tenacity and Green’s playmaking complementing Curry’s shooting. However, to truly contend, they need to target players who can stretch the floor, attack off the dribble, or provide reliable scoring in crunch time. Whether through free agency, trades, or the draft, adding a versatile scorer—perhaps a wing or a guard who can create off the bench—could transform Golden State into a more balanced and dangerous team.
Lessons from the Playoffs
The Warriors’ playoff loss to the Timberwolves underscored their offensive shortcomings. Facing a tough defensive unit led by players like Julius Randle, Golden State struggled to find rhythm when Curry was double-teamed or fatigued. Their offensive rating of 104.5 in the series was a stark contrast to their regular-season promise. This gap highlights the need for a more diverse offensive game plan, one that doesn’t hinge solely on Curry’s brilliance. The Warriors must find players who can exploit mismatches, score in isolation, or thrive in pick-and-roll situations to keep defenses honest.
A Path Forward
Golden State’s front office has shown savvy in recent years, and the addition of Butler is a testament to their ambition. However, the 2025 offseason will test their ability to address this critical flaw. Potential targets could include a scoring guard or forward who can serve as a secondary playmaker, allowing Curry to play off the ball more effectively. Alternatively, developing young talents like Jonathan Kuminga into reliable scoring options could provide an internal solution. Whatever the approach, the Warriors must act decisively to ensure Curry’s final years aren’t wasted.
The Golden State Warriors stand at a crossroads in the 2025 NBA offseason. With Stephen Curry still performing at an elite level, the team has a golden opportunity to chase another championship. However, their over-reliance on Curry’s scoring threatens to derail their ambitions. By prioritizing support scoring—whether through new acquisitions or internal development—the Warriors can build a more balanced offense and solidify their status as contenders. The clock is ticking, but with the right moves, Golden State can ensure that the Curry era ends with one more ring.