The Golden State Warriors endured a puzzling 2024–25 NBA season defined by inconsistency, identity struggles, and strategic adjustments. While the midseason acquisition of Jimmy Butler helped steer them toward a more defined style of play, it came with sacrifices—most notably, Draymond Green taking on a full-time role at center. But according to head coach Steve Kerr, that’s not a long-term solution.
“We’ve tried fitting a traditional center and a non-shooting forward next to Draymond Green in the starting lineup—it just doesn’t work,” Kerr said during his end-of-season press conference, held less than 48 hours after Golden State’s elimination by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals. “I don’t want to start next season with Draymond as our starting five. It’s doable for a stretch, like the last 30 games, but you see the toll it takes on him. He’s talked about it too.”
Kerr pointed to the Warriors’ initial attempt to start Trayce Jackson-Davis alongside Green, and even tried lineups featuring Jonathan Kuminga at the three. “It was clear from the beginning it wasn’t sustainable,” Kerr explained. “The lack of shot creation and floor spacing just isn’t viable in today’s NBA. You’re trying to survive game to game without the weapons you need.”
Golden State also experimented late in the season with rookie Quentin Post in the center rotation, but stability remained elusive. Despite persistent rumors that the front office would target a center at the trade deadline, the Warriors pivoted, landing Butler instead. While the six-time NBA All-Star brought grit and scoring, the team continued to struggle on the boards, especially in critical defensive and offensive rebounding situations.
Adding to the Warriors’ instability was a season-long sense of uncertainty around the franchise’s direction. This was punctuated in the playoffs when Stephen Curry went down with an injury against Minnesota. The offense stalled, the system collapsed, and no one stepped up to fill the leadership void. The absence of depth was painfully exposed when it mattered most.
At their peak, the Warriors’ dynasty revolved around a high-powered core that included Kevin Durant. Though those days are behind them, Kerr revealed on KNBR’s “Tolbert & Copes” show that Golden State made a serious attempt to re-acquire Durant during the 2025 season. “We had nothing going,” Kerr said. “We were below .500, and it had been long enough to realize—this just isn’t working.”
Kerr confirmed that the front office explored multiple options. “I think it’s well documented we were trying to get Kevin Durant. That didn’t happen,” he said. “Then Mike [Dunleavy Jr.] calls me and says, ‘Hey, I think we’re going to trade for Jimmy Butler. I’ll vouch for him. I played with him for three years in Chicago. The guy’s a gamer.’”
The idea that Durant was nearly part of the Warriors’ plans again adds an intriguing what-if to an already eventful season. With the team hovering near the bottom of the Western Conference standings pre-deadline, Golden State was clearly desperate for a spark. Durant, meanwhile, wasn’t having an ideal run in Phoenix, as the Suns failed to meet expectations.
In the end, the Warriors got their spark in Butler. But questions remain about the team’s long-term roster construction, particularly in the frontcourt. If Golden State wants to reassert itself as a contender, solving the Draymond Green-at-center dilemma will be a top priority heading into the 2025–26 campaign.