The Golden State Warriors have reached a crossroads at the worst possible time. With Stephen Curry battling yet another injury and the NBA trade deadline only 24 hours away, the franchise finds itself balancing short-term survival with long-term urgency. Head coach Steve Kerr knows the stakes: the Warriors can’t afford to waste another season of Curry’s prime, and the front office is under pressure to deliver a significant roster upgrade.

Kerr confirmed as much ahead of Golden State’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, which Curry was forced to miss.

“We have a pretty clear separation of powers here, which I think is the right way to do it,” said Kerr. “Mike calls me if anything comes up. He called me today to kind of give me a heads-up on some of the things they were talking about. And you know, they definitely take my input.”

Steve Kerr also clarified that he doesn’t suggest any trade options but provides mere feedback on what the front office tells him. Butler is out for the season due to an ACL injury, so the team needs an option to support their superstar, Stephen Curry.

But even the 12x All-Star is finding it difficult to keep the engine running. His unceremonious exit against the Detroit Pistons only fueled injury worries, which the head coach answered.

“I don’t know,” said Kerr about the 4x NBA champion. “I haven’t seen him on the court. I know he was on the table with Rick earlier this afternoon. So I don’t really have much of an update other than it’s just a day-to-day thing.”

Curry has already endured an injury-filled season, missing time in November and December with a quadriceps contusion and later dealing with an ankle issue. Most recently, an MRI revealed he is managing runner’s knee, a condition that sidelined him against the Minnesota Timberwolves last week. Even when healthy enough to play, the strain has been evident.

“He’s playing longer stretches,” Kerr said of Curry. While the 4x NBA champion’s minutes haven’t spiked up, the strain to shoulder the attack alone is visible. “Some of that by design, some of it just because subs couldn’t get in for a couple of minutes. So it definitely puts a lot more stress on Steph’s shoulders, not having Jimmy next to him to create shots, to take over the offense when needed.”

With Curry’s health increasingly fragile, the need for reinforcements has never been clearer. And as the deadline approaches, the biggest name in the rumor mill remains Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s approach makes the deadline difficult for Steve Kerr

Golden State’s pursuit of Antetokounmpo has intensified in recent days, with multiple contenders—including the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves—also exploring potential packages for the two-time MVP.

To compete in that sweepstakes, the Warriors may have to consider something once thought unthinkable: trading Draymond Green.

For the first time in 14 years, Green’s name in a trade package is gathering steam. It did cool down for a while, but with the Heat, Timberwolves, and the rest of the league circling on Giannis, the Warriors are ready to part ways with their veteran.

The new package is “Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, and draft capital for a potential Giannis trade, per @TheSteinLine.”

Kerr acknowledged how unusual it feels to even contemplate a future without the franchise cornerstone. “This is the first time since I’ve been here that his name has ever really been mentioned in trade talks,” Kerr admitted to the media.

“It’s different. But it’s also part of the league. It’s part of almost every player’s journey. But it is the first time for him, so it’s a little different. This [deadline] has definitely been a little more difficult than most.”

Because of salary-matching requirements, the Warriors will likely have to part with at least one major contract to complete any blockbuster deal. As the situation currently stands, indications suggest the front office prefers to keep Jimmy Butler and instead include Green in a potential package.

For his part, Green appears to be taking the uncertainty in stride. “But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business,” Green said Friday night. “I ain’t losing no sleep, though. I slept great last night.”

Whether it’s Giannis Antetokounmpo or another impact player, Golden State’s path forward is clear: doing nothing is no longer an option.

Curry’s injuries have exposed how thin the current roster truly is, and the clock on the Warriors’ championship window continues to tick. Over the next 24 hours, Dunleavy and the front office must decide whether to swing for a seismic move or risk watching another season slip away.