Quick Answer
The Golden State Warriors were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the 2026 play-in tournament, ending their season early.
Head Coach Steve Kerr has signed a two-year extension, but the front office faces tough decisions on the roster and luxury tax bill.
Draymond Green is at the center of heavy trade speculation, although no deal is in place as of May 2026.
The Play-In Exit and Draymond's Frustration
The Warriors' season came to a crashing halt in April against the Phoenix Suns, losing 111-96.
In typical fiery fashion, the final game was not without drama. Green was ejected late alongside the Suns' Devin Booker after a heated altercation, then continued to taunt the Phoenix crowd as he exited the floor.
It was a stark, symbolic end to a season plagued by inconsistencies and an aging roster struggling to keep pace with the Western Conference's younger elite.
Steve Kerr Stays, But Will the Core?
The biggest news of the early offseason: Head Coach Steve Kerr has agreed to a new two-year contract extension.
Following the loss to the Suns, Kerr shared an emotional embrace with Green and Steph Curry, admitting he knew it could be their final time sharing the court together.
Kerr's extension signals that the front office is not ready to completely blow up the foundational trio just yet.
Trade Rumors and Offseason Decisions
Despite Kerr's return, the Warriors face massive financial and roster building decisions.
- The cap situation: Golden State is deep in the luxury tax. To build a competitive roster around Curry, they need flexibility.
- Draymond's value: Green is an elite defensive mind and playmaker, but his offensive limitations and disciplinary issues make him a complicated trade asset.
Analysts are debating whether the Warriors will finally pull the trigger on a Green trade to acquire younger, more reliable scoring pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are the Warriors in the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
No. Golden State was eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament and did not advance to the official 16 team playoff bracket.
Is Draymond Green being traded?
As of May 2026, no trade is in place. However, due to the early exit and luxury tax issues, Green is the subject of heavy offseason trade speculation.
Did Steve Kerr leave the Warriors?
No. Kerr recently signed a two-year contract extension to remain head coach of the Golden State Warriors.
The takeaway
This summer is a fork in the road for the dynasty. Kerr is staying, but the roster around Curry is aging quickly and the cap sheet is brutal.
I think the front office is closer to moving Green than fans want to admit. The trade calls have already started, and a younger scorer next to Curry would change the math for next season.
What the Front Office Is Saying
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has been measured in public, calling Green "central to who we are" but stopping short of guaranteeing he finishes his contract in Golden State. The internal conversation, by all accounts, is about how to retool around an ageing core without blowing it up.
Steve Kerr's voice carries weight here too. The head coach has consistently defended Green's value beyond the box score, particularly his playmaking from the elbow and his ability to anchor a switch-heavy defence.
Draymond's Own Words
On his podcast, Green sounded clear-eyed. He acknowledged the team needs younger legs at the wing and another shot creator, and he said he wants to finish his career in a Warriors jersey. He also conceded that his game needs another evolution, leaning harder on connecting passes and weak-side defence as his foot speed dips.
That tone matters. It signals a player ready to accept a reshaped role rather than fight it.
Possible Roster Moves This Offseason
The Warriors have limited cap flexibility but real trade assets. A first round pick, a young rotation player and a salary filler is the rough framework being floated. Names that have surfaced in league chatter include a stretch four to play alongside Green, plus a downhill backup guard to ease the load on Stephen Curry.
The bigger swing would be using Andrew Wiggins as the centrepiece of a deal for a younger high-usage wing. That is the kind of trade that would signal the front office is going for one more deep run rather than a soft reset.
Curry, Klay and the Core Question
Stephen Curry has made it plain: he is playing as long as the body lets him, and he wants to play in Golden State. Klay Thompson's exit a couple of seasons back already settled the Splash Brothers question, so the remaining decision is how to surround Curry and Green for the back end of their careers.
That means more shooting, more athletic finishing at the rim and a defender who can take the hardest perimeter assignment off Green's plate.
What a Reshaped Role Looks Like for Green
- Fewer minutes at the five, more at the four next to a true centre.
- A bump in offensive load as a hub, running dribble handoffs and short-roll passes.
- A reduced role guarding the opponent's best wing, with that job handed to a younger defender.
- A clearer mentorship lane for the team's younger bigs.
The Honest Outlook for 2026 to 2027
The Warriors are not a championship favourite next season, but they are not done either. A retooled bench and one shrewd trade could put them back in the play-in mix and possibly higher if Curry stays healthy. Draymond Green's job will be to make that team function defensively and to set the standard in the locker room while the front office figures out the next phase.
For all the talk about an exit, every signal coming out of the Bay Area suggests Green and the Warriors are still aligned. The next move is a roster reshape, not a breakup.
