The Golden State Warriors enter the 2025-26 season at a fascinating crossroads, balancing the final years of their dynastic core with the transition into a younger era that is expected to carry the franchise forward. After nearly a decade of dominance built on Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the Warriors now find themselves reshaping their depth chart in a way that both honors their veterans and maximizes the potential of their rising stars. The construction of the roster heading into this season reveals both continuity and change, a mix of loyalty and pragmatism, and a front office that understands the urgency of keeping the team competitive in an ever-strengthening Western Conference.
At the very top of the depth chart sits Stephen Curry, still the face of the franchise and still the central figure in everything Golden State does. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Curry’s shooting gravity remains unmatched, and the offense continues to orbit around his ability to warp defenses. His minutes may be slightly more managed now, but in crunch time there is no doubt whose hands the ball will be in. Behind him, the Warriors have invested in ensuring that the backup guard spots are no longer a glaring weakness. Chris Paul is gone, but the team has retooled with younger, more athletic options who can relieve Curry without completely sacrificing offensive flow. This has allowed the Warriors to create a backcourt rotation that can run, defend, and offer energy while Curry saves himself for the key stretches.
The shooting guard position reflects both nostalgia and new reality. Klay Thompson, a cornerstone of the dynasty, remains on the roster but no longer plays with the same two-way dominance that defined his prime. His role has shifted into that of a sharpshooter and veteran presence, one who can still catch fire on any given night but is also more willing to come off the bench if matchups dictate. The Warriors have positioned Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski as heirs to the shooting guard role, giving them consistent playing time and responsibility. Moody’s defensive versatility and three-point stroke have steadily improved, while Podziemski’s feel for the game, rebounding at the guard spot, and playmaking make him a unique piece. The coaching staff sees them as essential for keeping the team’s perimeter attack fresh and unpredictable, ensuring that the Warriors’ shooting identity continues beyond the original Splash Brothers.
The small forward position is where the Warriors’ youth movement takes its biggest leap. Andrew Wiggins remains a key figure, particularly for his defensive versatility, but the organization has also leaned heavily on Jonathan Kuminga, who finally appears ready to become a full-time starter. Kuminga’s athleticism, ability to attack the rim, and growing confidence as a scorer make him one of the most important players in the depth chart. He gives the Warriors a dimension they never truly had during their dynasty years—a downhill threat who can both create his own shot and defend multiple positions. Wiggins, now more of a complementary piece, can provide spacing and defense without the burden of carrying a major offensive load. This balance between Wiggins and Kuminga creates flexibility, as the Warriors can go small, fast, and switch-heavy, or they can use both wings together to create a more balanced lineup.
At power forward, Draymond Green continues to anchor the defense and set the tone for the team’s competitiveness. His ability to quarterback the defense, switch onto guards, and orchestrate the offense as a secondary playmaker keeps him invaluable. While his scoring is minimal, his leadership and defensive instincts are irreplaceable. The Warriors, however, are also preparing for the inevitable day when they cannot lean on Draymond in the same way. Trayce Jackson-Davis has emerged as a versatile frontcourt option who can guard bigger players, rebound with intensity, and provide rim protection. He is not a carbon copy of Green, but his skill set allows Golden State to maintain a defensive backbone when Draymond is off the floor or dealing with injuries. The power forward rotation also includes opportunities for small-ball experimentation, with Kuminga sliding up to the four in lineups designed for pace and space.
The center position has historically been less of a focal point for Golden State, but in 2025-26 it has become a point of emphasis. The Warriors learned from past shortcomings that size and rim protection are critical in the modern NBA, particularly against teams like Denver and Minnesota. Kevon Looney remains a steadying force, bringing reliability, rebounding, and screen-setting, but he is no longer asked to carry the heavy minutes he once did. The rise of Jackson-Davis and the addition of new depth pieces have allowed the team to distribute responsibilities more evenly. Golden State has sought to find a balance between Looney’s veteran savvy, Jackson-Davis’s athletic upside, and smaller, faster lineups that allow Draymond to play center in key stretches. This rotation-by-committee approach ensures they can adapt to different playoff matchups without being overly reliant on one style.
The bench, long a weakness in some of Golden State’s recent years, has been fortified with younger players who are not only capable of contributing now but also expected to grow into bigger roles. Podziemski, Moody, and Jackson-Davis form a trio of young talents that give the second unit credibility. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ front office has ensured that veteran leadership remains present, surrounding these young players with experienced role players who understand how to operate in Steve Kerr’s system. The Warriors’ style of play—ball movement, spacing, unselfishness—requires players who buy into the collective rather than hunt their own stats. The current depth chart reflects this balance between youthful hunger and veteran savvy, something that was lacking when the team leaned too heavily on its aging stars.
When analyzing the depth chart holistically, what stands out is the Warriors’ versatility. Unlike the rigid rotations of the past, this roster can shift into multiple identities. They can still play the classic small-ball lineup with Curry, Thompson, Wiggins, Green, and Looney or Kuminga, overwhelming opponents with pace and spacing. They can also deploy a younger, more athletic lineup with Podziemski, Moody, Kuminga, Jackson-Davis, and Looney, focusing on defense, transition, and energy. This adaptability is what Golden State hopes will give them an edge against deeper, more physically imposing Western Conference rivals.
Another key aspect of the depth chart is the way it balances short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability. Curry is still the centerpiece, but the Warriors are no longer built solely around his greatness. The young core is no longer on the fringes but woven directly into the rotation. This ensures that the franchise is not left scrambling when its legends eventually retire or decline further. In many ways, the 2025-26 depth chart represents a bridge, honoring the dynasty’s foundation while laying down the first planks of the future.
Yet there are still questions. Can Kuminga truly become a consistent star, or will his flashes remain sporadic? Can Thompson accept a reduced role gracefully while still contributing? Will Wiggins regain his peak consistency, or will his production fluctuate? And perhaps most importantly, can the young players shoulder the responsibility of playoff basketball when the veterans are no longer able to carry the same weight? These uncertainties mean that while the depth chart looks solid on paper, its true effectiveness will only be measured under postseason pressure.
For the coaching staff, particularly Steve Kerr, this season presents a new challenge. Kerr has long been praised for managing egos and building a culture of unselfishness, but now he must balance the respect owed to legends with the opportunity required for growth. It will not always be easy to decide who closes games—will it be Thompson or Podziemski, Wiggins or Kuminga, Looney or Jackson-Davis? Kerr’s rotations will be scrutinized more than ever, but the depth chart provides him with options he has not always enjoyed in recent years.
As the Warriors march into the 2025-26 campaign, their depth chart paints a picture of both tradition and transition. The Splash Brothers era still flickers, with Curry as bright as ever and Thompson providing sparks, but the torch is clearly being passed to Kuminga, Moody, Podziemski, and Jackson-Davis. Draymond Green continues to provide the connective tissue, Looney holds down the middle, and Wiggins floats between star and role player depending on the night. Together, this group represents a team still capable of making noise in the West, but also one aware that its time at the very top is finite. The Warriors’ ability to weave together their past, present, and future through their depth chart is what makes this season so compelling. It is not just a lineup card—it is a reflection of a dynasty evolving before our eyes.
