The Warriors’ Two-Track Offseason
The Golden State Warriors are staring at a crossroads. Stephen Curry turns 38 next March. The championship window that produced four titles in eight years is no longer wide open—it’s narrowing with every passing season. Jimmy Butler’s ACL tear ended any realistic contention hopes for 2026. And the franchise knows that the clock is ticking louder than ever.
But the Warriors aren’t ready to wave the white flag. Far from it.
According to a comprehensive analysis from Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, Golden State is operating with a two-track offseason plan. Track One: Swing for the fences and try to acquire two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Track Two: If that fails, pivot to a superstar contingency plan that could reshape the franchise’s immediate future.
That contingency plan? Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.
The seven-time All-Star, averaging 28.4 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds this season, represents exactly the kind of explosive offensive talent that could extend Golden State’s relevance beyond the Curry era while maximizing what’s left of it .
This isn’t just speculation. The tea leaves are there. The circumstances are aligning. And if the playoffs break the right way, the Warriors could find themselves in pole position for one of the most dynamic backcourts the league has ever seen.
Let’s break down why Mitchell makes sense, why Cleveland might be forced to consider a trade, and what a Curry-Mitchell partnership would actually look like.
THE GIANNS PURSUIT: Why Milwaukee Is the Primary Target
Before we get to Mitchell, we have to understand the context. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been on Golden State’s radar for nearly a decade. The dream of pairing the Greek Freak with Steph Curry has haunted the nightmares of the rest of the league for years.
And now, for the first time, that dream feels genuinely possible.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in late January that Bucks general manager Jon Horst has recently become willing to entertain conversations about Giannis . The door, once sealed shut, is now cracked open.
The Warriors have positioned themselves as aggressive suitors. League sources told ESPN that Golden State has already contacted the Bucks to express firm interest in Antetokounmpo, with a willingness to put a substantial offer on the table regardless of injury concerns .
What can the Warriors offer? Potentially four first-round picks: 2026, 2028, 2032 unprotected, and 2030 with protections. Jonathan Kuminga, a player Milwaukee has shown interest in dating back to the summer, would almost certainly be part of the package. Brandin Podziemski, a Milwaukee native, could also help nudge the needle .
But here’s the catch: Giannis is extension-eligible, and his desires matter. A temperature check would be needed to ensure he’d embrace a partnership with the Warriors. And even if he’s willing, the Bucks are in the driver’s seat. They could trade him now or wait until a fuller market develops in the summer.
Which brings us to Plan B.
THE MITCHELL CONNECTION: Why He’s the Perfect Fallback
If Giannis stays in Milwaukee, the Warriors need an alternative. And according to Favale, Mitchell checks every box.
“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,” Favale wrote .
That’s the key phrase: “bridge into the future.” At 29, Mitchell is young enough to be part of the next era but established enough to help now. He’s a seven-time All-Star who has carried offenses and delivered elite playoff performances. He’s exactly the kind of player you build around.
Favale suggests Golden State should be watching the postseason closely, hoping the Cavaliers fall short and begin reconsidering their long-term roster construction.
“They should cross their fingers for the Cleveland Cavaliers flame out of the playoffs, again, and open themselves up to an offseason roster-razing,” Favale wrote .
The logic is simple: If Cleveland fails to make a deep run—another first- or second-round exit would mark Mitchell’s ninth consecutive postseason without reaching a conference finals—the pressure on the franchise to retool becomes overwhelming .
CLEVELAND’S PRESSURE COOKER: Why Mitchell Might Be Available
To understand why Mitchell could become available, you have to understand the situation in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers are in a precarious position. They dramatically reshaped their roster ahead of the trade deadline, swapping 26-year-old Darius Garland for 36-year-old James Harden in a move that raised eyebrows across the league . Why would a team with a young core trade for an aging star?
The answer, according to veteran insider Brian Windhorst, is simple: concern about Mitchell’s long-term commitment.
“The key here is that the Cavs are moving away from believing in the Core 4,” Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland. “And I think the genesis of this is because they’re worried that Donovan is not going to re-sign this summer” .
That’s the elephant in the room. Mitchell becomes eligible to sign a contract extension on July 7. He’s set to play next season on a deal worth roughly $50 million and holds a $53.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season . If he doesn’t extend, the clock starts ticking.
One veteran front office executive put it bluntly: “People don’t realize the Cavs are in the same position with Donovan as the Bucks are with Giannis” .
The parallels are striking. Both franchises face the possibility of their superstar walking. Both have limited time to build a contender around them. Both made aggressive deadline moves to try to keep their stars happy.
But the Harden trade wasn’t just about winning now. It was about sending a message to Mitchell: We’re doing everything we can. We’re all in. Please stay.
If the message doesn’t work—if Cleveland flames out again in the playoffs—the franchise may have no choice but to consider a trade rather than risk losing him for nothing in 2027.
THE TIMING FACTOR: Why This Offseason Is Pivotal
The 2026 offseason is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent NBA history.
Giannis is extension-eligible. Mitchell is extension-eligible. LeBron James is a free agent. The dominoes are lined up, and the Warriors are positioning themselves to knock them over.
Marc J. Spears of Andscape recently shared insight from a conversation with Curry about the Warriors’ future. According to Spears, Curry believes there will be a star joining him next summer—whether it’s Giannis, LeBron, or someone else .
“Remember, this is the Warriors,” Spears added. “They have a brand. They could quick fix and add some talent” .
That brand matters. Players want to play in Golden State. They want to play with Curry. They want to be part of a winning culture. And the Warriors have the assets to make a deal happen.
They have young talent in Kuminga, Podziemski, and Moses Moody. They have draft picks to trade. They have the flexibility to absorb a max contract. They have everything a team needs to pull off a blockbuster.
The only question is which star becomes available.
THE CURRY-MITCHELL FIT: Offensive Fireworks, Defensive Questions
Let’s talk basketball. What would a Curry-Mitchell backcourt actually look like?
Offensively, it would be dynamite. That’s not hyperbole—that’s Favale’s assessment.
“What about the defense?!” Favale wrote, anticipating critics. “That is fair. And also immaterial. The offense will be dynamite” .
And he’s right. Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history, a player whose gravity warps defenses and creates opportunities for everyone around him. Mitchell is one of the most explosive scoring guards in the league, capable of getting his own shot against any defender, in any situation.
Together, they’d create nightmares for opposing defenses. How do you guard two players who can both create off the dribble, both shoot from anywhere, both punish you for the slightest mistake? You don’t. You just hope to contain them.
The defensive concerns are real. Neither Curry nor Mitchell is known for lockdown defense. Both are best utilized as offensive engines, not as stoppers. But the Warriors have a history of masking defensive weaknesses with scheme and effort. Draymond Green, assuming he’s still on the roster, remains one of the best defensive minds in the game. Surrounding the backcourt with versatile defenders could mitigate the damage.
And let’s be honest: In today’s NBA, offense wins. The league is built around scoring. A Curry-Mitchell pairing would be must-see TV every single night.
THE COST: What the Warriors Would Have to Give Up
Of course, acquiring Mitchell wouldn’t come cheap. The Cavaliers gave up a massive package to get him from Utah in 2022. They’d expect a similar return.
Kuminga would almost certainly be the centerpiece. The 23-year-old forward has shown flashes of brilliance and would give Cleveland a young, athletic building block to pair with Evan Mobley. Podziemski, a Milwaukee native with a high basketball IQ, would likely be included. Draft picks—multiple first-rounders—would seal the deal.
Is that too much? For a player of Mitchell’s caliber, probably not. For a franchise trying to maximize Curry’s final years, definitely not. The Warriors have shown they’re willing to be aggressive. They traded for Butler. They’ve pursued Giannis. They’re not afraid to make bold moves.
The question isn’t whether they can afford Mitchell. The question is whether they can get him.
THE COMPETITION: Miami Looms
The Warriors aren’t the only team with eyes on Mitchell.
The Miami Heat have been linked to Mitchell for years. He reportedly expressed interest in the Heat before being traded to Cleveland, and he’s close with Bam Adebayo . If Mitchell becomes available, Miami will be aggressive.
The Heat can offer up to four first-round picks. They have young talent. They have a culture that players love. They have Pat Riley, who has never met a superstar he didn’t try to acquire.
If the Warriors want Mitchell, they’ll have to outbid Miami and any other suitors that emerge. That’s doable—Golden State’s draft pick chest is deep—but it’s not guaranteed.
THE PLAYOFF VARIABLE: Everything Hinges on the Postseason
Here’s the thing about all of this speculation: It means nothing until the playoffs happen.
If the Cavaliers make a deep run—if they finally reach the conference finals or beyond—Mitchell might be convinced to stay. Winning cures everything. A title run would erase all doubts.
But if Cleveland flames out again? If they lose in the first or second round? If Mitchell watches another postseason end in disappointment? All bets are off.
Mitchell has never reached a conference finals in his eight-plus NBA seasons . That’s a staggering statistic for a player of his caliber. At some point, the frustration has to boil over. At some point, you have to wonder if the situation is the problem.
The Cavaliers know this. That’s why they traded for Harden. That’s why they’re trying to win now. That’s why the pressure is mounting.
And that’s why the Warriors are watching closely.
THE CURRY FACTOR: A Window That Won’t Stay Open Forever
Let’s not lose sight of the big picture here.
Stephen Curry is 37 years old. He’s still elite—averaging 24.5 points per game this season despite injuries—but the end is closer than the beginning. The Warriors have maybe two or three more years of prime Curry left. Maybe.
Every season that passes without a significant addition is a season wasted. Every year that ends in the play-in tournament or a first-round exit is a year closer to the inevitable.
The Warriors know this. That’s why they’re pursuing Giannis. That’s why Mitchell is on their radar. That’s why they’re willing to be aggressive.
They owe it to Curry to maximize these final years. They owe it to the fans who have watched this dynasty for a decade. They owe it to themselves to leave no stone unturned.
Mitchell might not be Giannis. But he’s a superstar in his own right. And in a world where the Greek Freak stays in Milwaukee, Mitchell is the best possible alternative.
THE FINAL WORD: A Summer of Reckoning
The 2026 offseason is going to be wild.
Giannis. Mitchell. LeBron. The biggest names in the game, all with uncertain futures. The Warriors, positioned with assets and ambition, ready to strike.
If Cleveland flames out in the playoffs, Mitchell becomes the most intriguing domino. If the Bucks falter, Giannis could shake the league. If both stay put, the Warriors will have to pivot to other options.
But one thing is certain: Golden State isn’t going quietly into the night. They’re not content to let the Curry era fade without a fight. They’re going to be aggressive. They’re going to chase stars. They’re going to do whatever it takes to extend this window.
And if that means pairing Steph Curry with Donovan Mitchell in one of the most explosive backcourts the league has ever seen?
Buckle up. It’s going to be a hell of a ride.