SAN FRANCISCO ― A decade ago the Golden State Warriors were the clear-favorite to win a NBA title, now, 10 years later, many don’t have them making the playoffs – and that’s okay with them.
A shocking prediction, yes. But they are perfectly fine with not having those expectations as they step into the 2026-27 season with a fresh outlook.
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Head coach Steve Kerr is back after contemplating retirement, signing a two-year extension with the Warriors. Golden State has practically the same roster as last year – returning nearly every key player, while adding Georges Niang and Brandon Williams.
“It’s been a long offseason, too long, not making the playoffs last year. But I’m thrilled about starting the climb again, day one, and training camp. There’s always a sense of excitement,” Kerr said. “I feel really good about this team, and I’m really optimistic. I love our guys, and I think we have a chance to have a really good year. There’s a lot of really good players and a lot of good energy with what we’re doing right now.”
The Warriors finished with a 37-45 record but still managed to creep into the NBA Play-In tournament. They lost the elimination game for the No. 8-seed to the Phoenix Suns, however, marking just the second time since their 2022 championship that they missed the postseason.
Many experts predict the Warriors to have a similar record in the 2026-27 season, which makes sense seeing as they have a nearly identical team. USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes projects Golden State to finish 41-41 in the regular season, ninth in the Western Conference. ESPN predicts the Warriors to finish two games worse than last year at 35-47.
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Players and coaches aren’t paying attention to outside noise, however. Here are the main takeaways from Warriors Media Day on Monday, Sept. 28:
WARRIORS PREVIEW: Lineup, roster, prediction and biggest question mark
Warriors not a full strength
Golden State will start the 2026-27 season out at partial strength as players continue to nurse their injuries.
Warriors starting forward Jimmy Butler III has been rehabilitating a torn ACL he suffered last year. Moses Moody missed the final 22 games of the 2025-26 season with a torn patellar tendon but showed he can be a key rotational piece off the bench.
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Neither Butler nor Moody will be suiting up on opening day, but they will travel with the team to Hawaii for training camp and preseason games. Another key player who will be missing is center, Kristaps Porzingis, who is out with an undisclosed health issue, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said.
There’s high hopes that Yaxel Lendeborg will make an immediate impact. The organization is high on the No. 11 overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft – and for good reason.
Lendeborg helped lead the Warriors’ summer league team to a title and earned MVP honors along the way. His awards might not stop there. He believes that he can make his way to an All-Rookie first team and even win Rookie of the Year.
His teammates had high praise for his skill and physique. Butler’s thoughts on Lendeborg is that “he’s (expletive) massive.”
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