The Warriors finally have all their pieces in place to make that final push toward the title. With names like Curry, Butler, Green, Hield, and Horford, fans aren’t exactly worried about depth in this expected starting five. What does stand out, though, is the experience these players bring along with an average age of 35.8 years, making them the oldest starting lineup in NBA history! Now, the ball’s in Golden State’s court to show that age is just a number and that this crew can still chase glory, as also expected by an ex-Warriors star. 

Gilbert Arenas took to Instagram to share a key factor that can keep the championship hopes alive for the Warriors. He said, “If you’re going to pay Kuminga $24 million [2 year, $48.5 million deal] and put him in the starting lineup—then who else do you have, right? At this point, I know the offense is built on movement and cutting, but you’ve got to play him more if you really want to make some noise.”

And honestly, it makes sense. After all the back-and-forth surrounding his future, giving Kuminga a solid role in the starting five feels only fair. Pairing him with Butler, two players who needed time last season to mesh due to shooting concerns, might just turn out to be Golden State’s secret weapon.

The move also works better now with Al Horford joining the squad. His presence, alongside shooters like Curry, Podziemski, Hield, Melton, or Moody, makes the Kuminga-Butler combo far more functional. Meanwhile, Horford and Draymond can anchor the defense, backed by a deep, high-IQ bench that knows exactly how to keep the engine running.

Arenas further explained, “They should be a little better now, because you’ve got Jimmy Butler there for the whole season. He gets to learn the system, go through training camp. So I think they’re going to be a lot better than before. As long as you’ve got Draymond and Jimmy, you can’t count them out. Those guys are clever, smart, and they understand the game. They’re going to make the playoffs.”

Jimmy Butler, who was traded from Miami during the February deadline, has been a steady force since joining Golden State, posting a 23-7 record while averaging 17.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in 30 games, shooting an efficient 47.6% from the field.

Draymond Green also chipped in with 9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, shooting 42.4% from the field. Curry put up 24.5 points per game, knocking down 39.7% of his threes on 11.2 attempts a night. With that kind of elite shooting, they might just silence all the talk about age slowing this team down.

So, what’s the only thing standing in the Warriors’ way now? Injuries. If they can stay healthy, Bleacher Report projects Golden State (47-35) to rank among the league’s top 10 contenders.

Steph Curry, though, isn’t losing sleep over the age chatter. He’s heard it all before. “We’ve heard it even before the ’22 championship,” he said. “At the end of the day, it all comes down to health. Look at every team—Oklahoma City had a relatively healthy run, and that’s what you need. For us vets, it’s about getting through the regular season and making sure we’re in a good spot—not chasing anything down the stretch.”

Jonathan Kuminga is back and all in

Jonathan Kuminga may have skipped media day, but he made sure his first appearance as a re-signed Warrior sent a clear message: he’s all in. On day three of training camp, he joined Seth Curry and the rest of the team, with a new look: switching his jersey number from 00 back to 1.

“A new start,” Kuminga said. “I wanted to go back to my number 1 jersey that I used to wear. Just want to try new things.” Beyond the number, his focus is squarely on the team, emphasizing a “team-first approach” and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help the Warriors chase a championship. “Me betting on myself is helping us win a championship, that’s our goal,” he added.

Kuminga also talked about what he’ll do on the court, especially on defense and showing his all-around skills. Last season, he played alongside Jimmy Butler when Curry was out during the playoffs and put up some big numbers- 30, 23, and 26 points- but the Warriors still couldn’t make it past elimination.

With Jonathan Kuminga’s latest comments, it’s clear both the 22-year-old forward and the Warriors want to put a tense offseason behind them and refocus on a strong 2025–26 campaign. Kuminga enters the year with $22.5 million guaranteed and, more importantly, an opportunity to carve out a bigger role on a veteran-heavy roster.

With newcomers Jimmy Butler and Al Horford expected to bring structure and leadership, Golden State’s system will be more clearly defined. For Kuminga, that means adapting quickly and maximizing his minutes- whether as a starter or a spark off the bench. His athletic bursts, scoring runs, and defensive versatility could be the very ingredients that tilt games in the Warriors’ favor.

Head coach Steve Kerr made it clear that Kuminga’s minutes next season will depend on defensive effort, rebounding, and running the floor. “With JK, the more he can defend with activity, rebound, run the floor, and then there’s a better chance he has to play. You know, everybody progresses at a different rate,” Kerr explained.

While trade rumors have swirled around Kuminga, he appears committed to staying with Golden State for the full 2025-26 season. “I would say [they want me here long term],” he said. “Based on just me being back here, just feeling… I feel like I’ll be here… Like I said, you never know what’s going to happen, but I’m happy, glad to be back.” With Curry, Green, and Butler all advocating for him, it seems the Warriors’ star is here to stay.