The Golden State Warriors arrived in the playoffs that year with their heritage at stake and uncertainty surrounding the key members of the team. After a hard finish to the regular season and a quick elimination by the Timberwolves, the Dubs find themselves in a key offseason situation. Yet, what the team needs now is a thorough plan shift that merges the experience of veteran players with the bursts of youth. These are the steps Golden State needs to take to be ready for the postseason in 2025 and beyond.
How Golden State Should Adjust Veteran Roles?
The Warriors still count on Stephen Curry, but at 37, he is feeling the way those years play out. His amazing long-range shooting can’t carry the Warriors through seven tough games by itself now. Draymond Green still plays well on defence and makes good passes, but age and durability could be problems for him in the future. Thompson's struggles to defend in the backcourt have allowed strong playoff teams to capitalise often.
Many switches landed Klay on Anthony Edwards or Mike Conley during the 2025 playoffs, which hurt the Golden State Warriors. These mistakes on defence showed that additional reinforcements on the wings were necessary.
The main point: Move these veterans into specific and challenging positions. Have Steph start more transitional plays, but have him work as a cutter into the action as well. With Draymond, play him less in the regular season, so he is strong in the big defensive moments. For Klay, playing as a sixth man could be an option if the Warriors add a top guard.
Developing Kuminga, Moody and the Young Core
So far, Jonathan Kuminga is the only real highlight of the season. In the playoffs, his work around the rim and fast play were noticeable, allowing him to score 17.8 points in the series and shoot well inside the arc. Moses Moody also impressed, handling the game well and not making many errors, even hitting important shots from the corner.
Golden State’s strategy for retooling while still competing should include these players at its heart. This means more opportunities, important game involvement and true playoff running time, not being on the bench at the end of the game.
Kevon Looney’s expertise in understanding team culture may make way for a more versatile big man if the Warriors decide to play defence in transition. Trayce Jackson-Davis may become that option—he showed good shot block defence and ran the court well towards the end of the season.
Will Derrick White Trade Fix the Point Guard Problem?
According to those inside the league, the Golden State Warriors are interested in Celtics guard Derrick White in a trade. Because White is worth around $70 million and is a leader on defence, his presence would be just what the Warriors lacked this season. Draymond’s skill at defending the top three positions, making shots beyond the arc and making plays for teammates is ideal for Steve Kerr’s motion system.
A possible move could consist of picks, salary fillers (Andrew Wiggins or Chris Paul) and maybe Moody or Brandin Podziemski. With such a big expense, addressing defence and playmaking might be exactly what separates another early loss from Finals success.
How Warriors Can Fix Their Defence in 2025?
Being versatile on defence is what helped the Warriors build their dynasty. The group’s identity broke apart in 2025. Opponents were able to collect many second-chance points against them, and they struggled to get rebounds to finish their defensive possessions. There were problems with their perimeter defence, and transition D turned into transition scoring.
Kerr should make sure that the culture puts defence ahead of everything else. You should start by placing top-notch stoppers at the end of each pitching staff. If White plays and they start bringing in Draymond, alongside Kuminga and Moody in spurts, that switch-everything defence could make a comeback.
During the playoffs, Golden State gave up 112.4 points every game, with many quarters featuring 35+ points from bad communication. You can expect training camp and preseason to focus a lot on guarding the rim, changing positions in a zone defence and boxing out.
Updating Steve Kerr's Offensive System
Steve Kerr made the read-and-react system popular in the modern NBA. In 2025, however, the problem has been solved. The team requires a new approach to playing the game. Expanding their pick-and-roll tactics, reducing unnecessary passes through defenders and giving everyone set roles in offence would improve their system.
With more maximum-effort elevations from Curry, Kuminga in the post and TJD as the passer on rolls, you could revitalise the team’s half-court setup.
Giving an offensive coordinator job to a current assistant might help Kerr figure out ways to beat the new and intense defences found in the playoffs.
Warriors Cap Space and Roster Planning for 2025
Because of the tough luxury tax rules in the new CBA, the Warriors now face having to pay the second tax penalty. It falls to ownership to determine: Should we continue on this path or go in a different direction?
Unless he takes a big reduction in salary, the Lakers are not likely to bring back CP3 for $ 30 M. Wiggins, who had a disappointing season last year, could be traded by the team. They have the tools, but the front office has to make sure they don’t limit their choices by spending too much.
Brad Stevens has kept the Celtics competing even while staying under the tax limit. The Warriors should choose to nurture their team from the inside, make smart deals and not make large contracts that produce less value over time.
The Golden State team’s once solid base was revealed to have weaknesses in the 2025 playoffs. What we call dynasties usually progress or muddle through for many years. Should the Warriors manage to combine remembering their historic ways with moving forward, another playoff push might already be on its way.
Also Read: Top Performers of the 2025 NBA Playoffs So Far
About the Author:
Akanksha Sinha
I'm Akanksha Sinha, an expert in writing sports blogs, news, and various articles for entertainment and more. I bring a unique flair to my work, providing insightful perspectives on the world of sports.
My articles aim to inform and entertain, making me a go-to source for sports enthusiasts seeking a blend of information and enjoyment. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, I consistently deliver compelling narratives that resonate with a diverse audience.
