The 2025 preseason showcased some of the promising highs and recurring lows for the Golden State Warriors heading into the regular season. Some of the good signs included veteran savvy, impactful veteran presence, promising young talent, and a Stephen Curry in midseason form already. There is also room for them to improve in taking care of the ball, remaining healthy, and building more chemistry.

Preseason Highs

Steph Curry’s Continued Brilliance: At 37, Curry appears to be in peak condition, delivering dominant performances in limited minutes. This was evident in his performance against the Portland Trail Blazers, where he scored 28 points in 27 minutes, and against the Los Angeles Clippers in their preseason finale, proving to be the best player on the floor.

Impactful Veteran Additions: Al Horford has fit in seamlessly with his versatile skillset, complementing their team perfectly. Coach Steve Kerr sang his praises, calling him the “perfect modern-day center.” His defensive prowess, shot-making, and experience will be key to their success. Jimmy Butler, who was acquired last season, will now have a full season with the team and provide a complementary force alongside Curry.

Promising Young Talent: Rookie guard Will Richard, the 56th pick in the 2025 Draft, has made a strong impression, making valuable contributions on both sides of the floor, like when he ignited the crowd with this three-pointer:

Third-year players Brandon Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, and Trayce Jackson-Davis are also expected to have more significant roles.

Preseason Lows

Excessive Turnovers: Sloppy play was a consistent theme throughout the Warriors’ preseason. In the finale against the Clippers, the team committed 23 turnovers, marking the fifth straight preseason game with 20 or more. Al Horford views the problem as carelessness, whereas coach Kerr acknowledges the issue but believes Butler is the answer, stating, “But, you know, I think Jimmy solves a lot of that,” according to Monte Pool of NBC Sports Bay Area.

Injury Concerns: The Warriors played the preseason finale without key players Butler, Kuminga, Moses Moody, and De’Anthony Melton. Podziemski also suffered a left hip contusion in the final game, though he eventually returned to the game. Melton is already slated to miss the start of the regular season due to a knee injury.

Offensive Disorganization: Outside of Curry’s stellar performances, the Warriors’ offense resorted to the inconsistent and unorganized style that loomed over them last season. Though the lack of consistent lineups in the preseason unquestionably contributed to this issue, they don’t want to overlook it and have it plague them in the regular season. Kenzo Fukuda of Clutch Points stated, “In recent history, Golden State has struggled with maximizing its offensive opportunities.”

Regular Season Implications

Best-Case Scenario: The most optimistic outlook for the Warriors is a title hunt, with their retooled roster gelling quickly. Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green could form a formidable and experienced trio. The key additions of veterans like Horford and Melton provide great depth and shooting. At the same time, the continued evolution of young players like Kuminga, Podziemski, and Jackson-Davis offers a unique blend of veteran wisdom and youthful energy. If this vision comes to fruition, some analysts project the Warriors to be a top contender, with one ESPN model predicting a 56-win season.

Worst Case Scenario: A doubtful outlook suggests the Warriors may struggle to regain the form needed to compete for a championship. The age of their core players makes them prone to injury concerns. Additionally, if they continue to turnover the ball the way they have, they could find themselves in the same boat as last season, fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament.

Balanced Perspective: A more realistic scenario for the Warriors positions them as a strong playoff contender, but not a guaranteed championship favorite. Adding good veteran talent and a full season with Butler should give them a boost from last year. However, they still have to consider the tough Western Conference they are in, with formidable teams like the reigning champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Denver Nuggets. Their success relies on their health and finding consistent contributions from their younger players. Their preseason challenges and injury issues are problematic, but the talent on the roster is undeniable. The regular season will test Kerr’s ability to make this complex roster gel when it matters the most.