After a season-ending loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors’ chance at another NBA championship came to a close. Though some think that the Warriors are heading towards the end of an era, Golden State forward Jimmy Butler is confident that there is more to come from this team.
In a unique situation, the contracts of Butler, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green all expire at the same time — in two years, after the 2026-2027 season. Head coach Steve Kerr’s contract is up after next season, after signing a two-year extension last year. This likely gives the Warriors a limited window to win another championship with its current star core.
During a postseason press conference on Thursday, Butler was asked if he sees the next two years as a window for a championship. The forward agreed, but added that it could be even longer.
“If we win some, it could be longer than that. Because I still think that we have a lot of great basketball left ahead of us,” Butler said.
All three members of the Warriors trio are on the veteran side: Curry is 37, while Green and Butler are both 35. But Butler seemed confident that all three players could keep playing at the same level long-term despite their age.
“The way that everybody’s taking care of their bodies, doing right, I think the potential is there,” Butler said. “This full season we’ve got coming up ahead, I think we’ll be able to find out.”
Curry echoed this idea during his own press conference on Thursday, saying that he had “a lot left in the tank.” But he also seemed to be more focused on next season, rather than the long-term future of the team.
“We want this ride to last as long as possible, but it’s just about, what does this team need for next year? Answering those questions over the summer, everybody preparing themselves individually … that’s all we’re really focused on right now,” Curry said.
Curry pointed out that there will be plenty of decisions to make this offseason. Standout players Gary Payton II, Jonathan Kuminga and Kevon Looney will all be off-contract this summer, giving Kerr some choices to make about the Warriors’ bench.
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