Stephen Curry is 38 years old. Let’s get that out of the way right now.
He’s not the same player who won back-to-back MVPs in 2015 and 2016. He’s not the guy who averaged 32 points per game in his unanimous MVP season. Father Time is undefeated, and even the greatest shooter in NBA history has felt his presence.
But here’s the thing: Curry is still capable of being the No. 1 scoring option on a championship team.
When he’s healthy, he’s still an All-NBA caliber player. He still bends defenses. He still forces double-teams 30 feet from the basket. He still makes the impossible look routine.
The question isn’t whether Curry can still lead a team to a title. The question is whether the Warriors can give him enough help.
Enter Donovan Mitchell.
According to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, the Warriors should have serious interest in pairing Curry with the Cavaliers’ seven-time All-Star guard. And honestly? He’s right.
Let me break down why Mitchell makes sense for Golden State, what it would take to acquire him, and whether this move could keep the Warriors’ championship window open for one final ride.
The Favale Argument: ‘All-In Moves Until the Wheels Fall Off’
Let me start with the source.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report knows the NBA. He knows the Warriors’ situation. And he knows that Golden State is running out of time.
Here’s what he wrote:
“So long as Steph is on this roster and operating, when healthy, at an All-NBA level, the Golden State Warriors are obligated to pursue all-in moves until the wheels fall off. At the very least, they must pretend that’s what they’re doing.”
Let me translate that: The Warriors have no choice. They can’t rebuild while Curry is still playing. They can’t sit on their hands. They have to make aggressive, win-now moves — even if those moves might backfire.
Favale then named his target:
*“Going on 30 in September, Donovan Mitchell is young enough (or close to it) for the Warriors to peddle him as their ticket to immediate contention and bridge into the future. They should cross their fingers for the Cleveland Cavaliers flame out of the Eastern Conference Finals and open themselves up to an offseason roster-razing.”*
That’s the blueprint. Hope the Cavaliers fall short in the playoffs again. Hope they decide to blow it up. And then swoop in to steal Mitchell.
Why the Cavaliers Might Blow It Up
Let me give you the context.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the Eastern Conference Finals right now. They’re facing the New York Knicks. Game 1 was a disaster for Cleveland — they blew a 22-point lead in less than nine minutes and lost in overtime.
Donovan Mitchell had a rough final quarter. He scored only three points. He couldn’t impose his will. The collapse was epic.
But one bad quarter doesn’t define a player. Mitchell is still one of the most explosive combo guards in the league. He has arguably the best high-pickup in downhill driving scenarios. He’s a nightmare to guard.
The issue for Cleveland isn’t Mitchell. It’s the roster around him. The Cavaliers have talent, but they’ve never quite broken through. They’ve made the playoffs. They’ve won series. But they haven’t made the Finals.
At some point, a franchise has to ask: is this core good enough? And if the answer is no, it’s time to blow it up.
If the Cavaliers flame out against the Knicks — or lose in the Finals — they might decide to rebuild. And Mitchell, who turns 30 in September, would be their most valuable trade chip.
Why Mitchell Fits the Warriors
Let me give you three reasons why Donovan Mitchell is the perfect target for Golden State.
Reason No. 1: Scoring and Shot Creation
The Warriors’ offense dies when Curry sits. We’ve seen it for years. Without Curry on the floor, the ball movement stagnates, the spacing shrinks, and the scoring dries up.
Mitchell fixes that. He’s a legitimate 25-point-per-night scorer who can create his own shot. He’s not just a catch-and-shoot guy — he’s a bucket-getter. He can break down defenses off the dribble, get to the rim, and finish through contact.
Imagine the Warriors’ offense with Curry and Mitchell on the floor together. Defenses would have to pick their poison: double Curry and leave Mitchell open, or guard Mitchell straight up and let Curry cook.
That’s a nightmare.
Reason No. 2: Three-Point Shooting
Mitchell has shot at least 36% from three in each of his first four seasons with the Cavaliers. That’s not elite, but it’s more than enough to keep defenses honest.
In Golden State’s system, Mitchell would get more open looks than he’s ever had. Curry’s gravity creates space for everyone. Mitchell would feast on catch-and-shoot threes and wide-open pull-ups.
Reason No. 3: Age and Timeline
Mitchell turns 30 in September. That’s not young, but it’s not old either. He’s squarely in his prime.
Curry has maybe two more elite years left. Mitchell can be the bridge — the star who keeps the Warriors competitive while the franchise transitions into the post-Curry era.
If the Warriors trade for Mitchell, they’re not just winning now. They’re also building for the future.
What a Trade Could Look Like
Let me get into the hypotheticals.
Donovan Mitchell is not cheap. He’s making over $35 million per year. The Warriors would have to send back significant salary to match.
Potential trade package:
Jimmy Butler (expiring contract, if he opts in)
Brandin Podziemski (young, cheap, productive)
Jonathan Kuminga (if he’s still on the roster)
Draft picks (the Warriors have four first-round picks available)
That’s a lot. That’s gutting the future for a 30-year-old star. But that’s what “all-in” means.
The Cavaliers would want young players and picks. Podziemski and Kuminga fit that description. The Warriors’ future first-round picks are valuable — especially once Curry retires and the team becomes bad.
Would the Warriors do this? If they believe Mitchell is the missing piece, yes.
Would the Cavaliers do this? If they decide to blow it up, absolutely.
The Mitchell-Curry Fit: Potential Concerns
Let me be honest about the potential issues.
Defense: Mitchell is not a good defender. He’s undersized for a shooting guard (6-foot-1) and doesn’t try consistently on that end. Pairing him with Curry — who is also a below-average defender — would create a backcourt that opponents would attack relentlessly.
The Warriors would need to hide both of them. That’s possible with Draymond Green and a strong defensive system, but it’s not ideal.
Ball dominance: Mitchell needs the ball in his hands to be effective. So does Curry. The fit could be awkward if both players are at their best with the ball.
But Curry is elite off the ball. He’s the best off-ball mover in NBA history. He can thrive next to any ball-dominant guard. Mitchell has also played with ball-dominant players before (Darius Garland in Cleveland). He knows how to share.
Health: Curry has missed significant time in recent seasons. Mitchell has also had his share of injuries. The Warriors would be betting on both staying healthy — a risky proposition.
Why This Move Is Worth the Risk
Let me make the case for aggression.
The Warriors are not a young team. They’re not a developing team. They’re an aging dynasty with a shrinking championship window.
Curry is 38. Draymond Green is 36. Klay Thompson is gone. The core that won four titles is fading.
If the Warriors are going to win another championship with Curry, they need to make a bold move. Not a safe move. Not a “let’s see what happens” move. A bold move.
Donovan Mitchell is a bold move.
He’s a top-20 player in the league. He’s a playoff riser — his scoring averages go up when the games matter. He’s proven he can lead a team to the second round and beyond.
Pairing him with Curry would give the Warriors two of the most dynamic scorers in the league. That’s a problem for every defense in the NBA.
The Competition: Will Anyone Beat the Warriors to Mitchell?
Let me quickly mention that the Warriors aren’t alone.
If the Cavaliers make Mitchell available, half the league will call. The Miami Heat. The New York Knicks. The Los Angeles Lakers. The Brooklyn Nets.
The Warriors have assets, but they’re not the only ones. They would need to put together the best package — and that might mean including Podziemski, Kuminga, and multiple picks.
Is that worth it for a 30-year-old guard? That’s the question the front office has to answer.
Final Verdict: The Warriors Should Go All-In
Here’s my honest take.
The Golden State Warriors are not going to win another championship with Stephen Curry alone. He’s too old. The supporting cast is too thin. The Western Conference is too deep.
But with Donovan Mitchell? That’s a different conversation.
Curry and Mitchell would be the best backcourt in the NBA. Not the best defensive backcourt — but the best scoring backcourt. Defenses would have no answer.
The Warriors would still need to address their frontcourt. They’d still need shooting and depth. But Mitchell would be the difference-maker — the second star who takes pressure off Curry and carries the offense when he sits.
The price will be high. The risk is real. But the Warriors are running out of time.
Stephen Curry has given this franchise four championships. He’s given them 15 years of greatness. He’s earned the right to demand one final all-in swing.
Donovan Mitchell is that swing.
One thing’s certain: The Warriors are going to be aggressive this offseason. And if Donovan Mitchell is available, they’d be foolish not to make the call.