The Warriors strolled into summer with a plan that required flexibility. They would find a way to resolve the Jonathan Kuminga matter and then fill their roster around the nine players already under contract.
They recognized their needs, identified players to fill them, entered negotiations with those players and . . . waited.
And waited.
And waited.
The wait ended Tuesday, the eighth day of autumn and one day into NBA training camp. Incumbents Gary Payton II and Kuminga are back. The new last-minute roster additions are as expected: Seth Curry, Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton.
Golden State’s front office it believes it has a squad capable of contending in the unyielding Western Conference. Moreover, one that can ride its talent and big-game experience to a deep NBA playoff run. Decorated veterans Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green were and are on board with the plan.
We know what Payton brings. We know what Kuminga can bring, and what he wants to bring. But it’s the three new acquisitions that, aside from the vagaries of health, could determine the success of the team. All three should be beneficial, though they come with pros and cons.
Seth Curry
PROS: The Warriors need perimeter shooters off the bench. Curry, along with Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski, can terrorize second units. Curry led the NBA in 3-point shooting accuracy at 45.6 percent. His career percentage from deep, 43.3, is second among active players (his more celebrated brother is third).
Curry is a 11-year NBA veteran who has appeared in 41 playoff games, with his 46.8-percent shooting from deep testimony to his efficiency on the big stage. This addition allows coach Steve Kerr to concoct lineups that provide the spacing of his dreams.
CONS: Seth’s defense always has been his most visible liability. He’ll give back some of his buckets on the other end.
VERDICT: Smart move for quality depth. Considering the immense value of deep shooters in today’s NBA – with defending champion Oklahoma City leading the way – Golden State is fortunate that an affordable, low-maintenance individual was available. It doesn’t hurt that he’s the baby brother of the team’s superstar.
Al Horford
PROS: Horford is a high-character professional who should fit nicely with Curry-Butler-Green leadership council. Moreover, Horford’s floor spacing offsets the lack of spacing afforded by forwards Butler and Green. Horford is a career 37.7-percent shooter from deep but dipped to 36.3 percent last season. Sharing the floor with a Curry should put him closer to the 44.6 and 41.9 percent he shot in the previous two seasons in Boston. How deep is Horford’s playoff resumé? He has played more postseason minutes than anyone on Golden State’s roster.
Kerr has been seeking a floor-spacing big man ever since Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica left the roster three years ago. It’s why general manager Mike Dunleavy signed Dario Šarić in 2023 and drafted Quinten Post in 2024. Horford, 39 years old and still playing solid defense, is a significant upgrade.
CONS: The Warriors have a platoon of “uncles,” and he’s the oldest. Even if uninjured, it’s reasonable to assume he will miss 12-15 games. He’s one of several pet projects for Dr. Rick Celebrini.
VERDICT: Wise move. It’s a risk, but it’s calculated – and very much worth taking for one season at $5.7 million, considering he’s slotted to play 24-28 minutes per night.
De’Anthony Melton
PROS: Melton was a splendid fit last season, earning the starting backcourt spot alongside Stephen Curry ever so briefly before sustaining a season-ending injury to his left ACL last November. If healthy, he likely would have remained the starter.
Melton has been working out, and if he’s healthy – his rehab could carry into the season – his shooting and defensive ability should give him an edge to reclaim that role.
CONS: Melton is coming off surgery to repair that torn ACL and, more concerning, has a history of assorted injuries, the most serious being problems with his back. He’s another project for Celebrini, who has a good track record (see Porter Jr.) managing physiques requiring frequent maintenance.
VERDICT: Very good move, considering the team’s knowledge of Melton’s history and how well he fits the culture. It has potential to be a great move if his defense remains solid and he’s able to play 65-70 games.
In summary, the Warriors’ long-delayed roster remake provides more flexibility and weapons than the one that opened the 2024-25 season. They’re better than they were last October, but whether they are significantly better will be determined mostly by health.
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