Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler Put Billion-Dollar Company on Backfoot Despite Lacking Numbers

“We’re going to find out. I think we can. There’s a level of know-how.” Stephen Curry is not letting the lack of front office plans affect his winning mentality. Recently, we saw his teammates, Jimmy Butler and Draymond, working out together, where the latter made bold claims on the championship aspiration. But the question remains, can they truly be a contender as their roster spot currently sits at 9, while the others have made significant changes?

Well, ESPN has given them a chance, as for them, the Warriors are the 7th-best team in the West. “Like the Clippers, the Warriors are projected right at their win total from last season and have an older roster (although we are projecting out a roster that is currently incomplete, as Golden State waits for a resolution to the Jonathan Kuminga restricted free agency showdown)“. Yes, the Kuminga situation is still going on. Because of this, their next trading plans are still in limbo.

“This pick is a bet on the evolution of the Stephen Curry-Jimmy Butler III partnership. Amid all the Butler drama from last season, Golden State went 22-5 in the 27 games Curry and Butler played together. Yes, there’s plenty of age and injury risk…” It’s true, after the Butler trade, the team not only got better on the offense, but their defense got only better and went from ninth to first, powered by the lockdown duo of Draymond Green and Butler. Now, they are looking to add Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II to make their record better.

Despite the team still being incomplete, ESPN is ready to predict the Dubs to be the seventh-best team. “But as long as Curry, Butler and Draymond Green are relatively healthy, this feels like a good bet to go over.” Now, if we believe those predictions and Stephen Curry, along with Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, are healthy, the West’s top two seeds won’t be ecstatic. After all, they beat the Rockets, who were ranked second in the West.

Now, they are not the same team, as Kevin Durant is their focal superstar. The OKC still has the same squad and has the confidence of the champions. The Clippers got depth at every position with the additions of Bradley Beal and returning Chris Paul. Let’s not forget, the Lakers got better with astute signings and still have the superstar duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Apart from this, ESPN rated the Nuggets at 3 and the Timberwolves at 4 as being better than the Golden State. But the Warriors should know, their superstars are not waiting for any prediction for next season.

Stephen Curry only has one goal in mind

Entering the 2025–26 season, the Warriors already have a massive $139.63 million committed—about 90.2% of the salary cap—just to Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, as reported by NBC Sports. Now, let’s also consider that Curry is 37, turning 38 in March, Butler will be 36 by opening night, and Draymond is 35. So, the championship window is not long. Which Steph has previously reiterated by stating that being healthy is a priority. “We’re gonna find out. I think we can. I like the identity that we have… Obviously, we have to stay healthy… That’s the beautiful challenge of this game,” he said.

His injury in the playoff series against the Timberwolves plummeted their title shot. This off-season, the veterans are already taking care of their bodies to be in the best shape possible and get to their goal. Recently, it was Draymond Green who was locked in during a training session with Jimmy Butler and trainer Yassine Gharram. Green confidently said, “We about six weeks out…right…where I need to be baby…we getting that b—- this year.” Butler backed it up with his caption from the post.

“whatever @money23green said on the last slide.” Seeing two of his teammates being so ready and confident made Curry fall short of words. He commented, 👀🙌🏽”—sending a clear message. He likes what he saw and is all-in on the plan to win. Seeing this confidence should inspire the front office to make the moves, after all, they need to fill their roster, and there is no option in that matter.