As the Golden State Warriors gear up for the 2025-26 NBA season, the spotlight is on their aging roster, with critics quick to dismiss their championship aspirations. With core stars Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, and Draymond Green all 35 or older, and key role players like Buddy Hield (32) nearing the twilight of their primes, the Warriors are one of the league’s oldest teams. The anticipated additions of Al Horford, 39, and Gary Payton II, 32, before training camp only fuel the narrative that Golden State may struggle to keep pace with younger, high-energy teams like the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
But don’t tell that to Steph Curry. The Warriors’ superstar point guard is pushing back hard against the doubters, armed with confidence, wisdom, and a fierce determination to prove that age is just a number.
In a candid interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson, Curry addressed the skepticism surrounding his team’s age. “With age comes wisdom,” he declared, brushing off the notion that the Warriors are too old to compete. “We’ll take the ageism and all that stuff on the chin and keep it moving.”
Curry’s words carry the weight of a two-time MVP who’s seen it all in his 17-year career. At 37, he remains the heartbeat of the Warriors, coming off a stellar 2024-25 season where he averaged 24.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds over 70 games, earning All-NBA Second Team honors. His message is clear: experience, preparation, and resilience will outweigh any perceived physical decline.
“Obviously, we know we have to prepare ourselves,” Curry continued. “There’s no guarantees, again, that you can stay healthy. Every champion, at the end of the day, has everything go right. We’re trying to be in that conversation. Trying to be well prepared for another run.”
Unlike last season, when the Warriors scrambled to find their footing after acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline, this year promises a fresh start. The midseason addition of Butler sparked a 23-8 run in the latter half of the year, but a hamstring injury to Curry during the playoff series against Houston cut their postseason short. Now, with Curry, Butler, and Green all expected to be ready for training camp, the Warriors have a golden opportunity to establish their identity early.
“So many unpredictable things happen during a year,” Curry noted. “Can you get your identity and your style of play and your team committed to that? Last year, we were chasing a little towards the end of the year to try and get out of the play-in. Then from there, we gave it a great run in the playoffs, just didn’t work out.”
This season, the Warriors aim to avoid the late-season grind. “Just trying to be in a position where we’re somewhere in the top of the Western Conference throughout the vibe and not have to be on the gas pedal all the way down the stretch,” Curry said. “Hopefully, we’re all healthy come April.”
With only nine players currently on the roster as of August 20, 2025, the Warriors’ front office has been relatively quiet this offseason. But Curry remains unfazed by the lack of splashy moves. “There is obviously stuff that I know and talking about that isn’t necessarily public, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be,” he said, hinting at behind-the-scenes plans. “The way our organization is run, me, Draymond, Jimmy [Butler] are trying to make sure we’re prepared individually and collectively to lead our team to where we’re supposed to go.”
Curry’s confidence in the front office reflects his trust in a franchise that has delivered four championships during his tenure. “All that stuff will take care of itself,” he added. “It’s the front office’s job to bring the best team back. When September 29th – whatever it is – comes around and we’re suiting up for practice, we’ll be ready.”
As Curry prepares for his 17th NBA season, he’s not just defying age—he’s challenging expectations. The Warriors may not have the youth of their Western Conference rivals, but they have a battle-tested core, a clear vision, and a leader in Curry who thrives under pressure. With their sights set on a deep playoff run, the Warriors are poised to turn skepticism into motivation.