The Golden State Warriors will enter the 2026-27 season without incredibly high expectations, but they also know that some of the veteran players who have been a key part of the team may very well be entering their final season with the franchise.
Some fans will welcome that as a good thing and probably wish the Warriors got some fresh blood into the organization sooner, but chances are those fans will get their wish especially if the team doesn’t perform all that well this season.
3 Warriors players who will probably be gone after this season
Draymond Green
It wouldn’t feel right to see Draymond Green with any team other than the Warriors, but he may not get to finish his career with Golden State. Some have already speculated he will be traded during the upcoming season which wouldn’t be a shock especially if the team underperforms.
Green will have to improve from last season though if a team is going to be willing to acquire him. His productivity dipped and if he continues to slide even more, the Warriors may not be able to get anything for him.
Perhaps they’d bring him back on a team-friendly deal in the offseason if that was the case, especially if Stephen Curry wants him back, but there’s a chance they might just decide to let him go and move on.
Jimmy Butler
After Jimmy Butler tore his ACL last season, it was clear that he would likely miss most of the 2026-27 campaign. Maybe he could return in January or February if everything goes right, but at that point who knows whether the Warriors will even be in any sort of contention.
The 37-year-old is going to be a free agent after the season. Golden State traded for him and then extended Butler thinking his two and a half seasons with the Dubs would be a prime contending window, but his injury threw a wrench in that plan.
If the Warriors don’t have a very good season, there’s little reason to bring Butler back next year if it’s obvious that their window to contend has fully closed.
Gary Payton II
While Gary Payton II has been a solid role player for the Warriors for years, it may be time to move on to different players after this season. He’s a solid veteran known for his defense and who can make some offensive contributions, but he doesn’t have a ton of upside and the Warriors would probably be better served giving his roster spot to a younger player.
These three players have all been synonymous with Warriors basketball at least the last few years, and in the case of Green it’s been 15 years. Change is coming to Golden State though at some point or another, and with all three of these players hitting free agency after the season there’s just not a huge reason to bring any of them back.
