Steve Kerr enters 2025-26 with his Warriors contract expiring after next season, and no in-season negotiations planned as the front office and coach map out the future this spring or summer. Kerr’s $17.5 million annual deal made him the NBA’s highest-paid coach, reflecting a dynasty-era run that includes six Finals appearances and the 73-win season. Golden State re-signed most free agents, Kuminga signed a two-year deal to end his restricted free agency, and Kevon Looney did not re-sign. Looking ahead, Curry, Green and Butler all reach contract ends after 2026-27, setting up tough roster and cap decisions for an aging core.

Al Horford arrives in Golden State at 39, bringing floor spacing, versatile defense, and veteran steadiness to a shifting roster. If he stays healthy and gels, he can lift Steph Curry’s driving lanes and ease Draymond Green’s defensive load, potentially offsetting the loss of Kevon Looney’s durability with a more flexible frontcourt.

His 2025 playoff efficiency underscores durability and impact, while Celtics peers spotlight his leadership and teammate chemistry. The risk is age and fit; if health falters or the rotation misaligns, it becomes a high-cost gamble on a late-career title bid.

New Orleans enters 2025-26 with Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones healthy and ready to anchor a potent Pelicans core. The addition of Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey adds burst and shooting, while Kevon Looney brings in-the-paint defense and rebounding. Draft picks Yves Missi and Derik Queen offer upside, and Jose Alvarado provides energy off the bench. If the health trend holds, New Orleans can again contend for a playoff spot in a deep West.

But health remains the variable. An Opening Night absence for Dejounte Murray and a tough early schedule could delay chemistry-building and push the team into a rugged early patch. If the roster stays cohesive and Poole/Bey translate into efficient offense, the Pelicans could reclaim momentum in November and push for a late-season run, despite the absence of a 2026 first-round pick complicating long-term assets.

Golden State sits tight this offseason as Kuminga’s restricted free agency blocks any real roster upgrades, and Kevon Looney departs for New Orleans, thinning the frontcourt. The wait on Kuminga’s decision — re-sign or explore a sign-and-trade — could echo into training camp and beyond, shaping immediate fantasy value around Curry, Butler and Green.

If Kuminga stays, the Warriors must squeeze more out of a limited offseason, potentially capping upside for the supporting cast. If Kuminga leaves, expect a rotation pivot toward younger wings and depth pieces, with Curry and Green shouldering more responsibility and the door opening for others like Moody or splashes in signings. Either way, Kuminga’s fate is the hinge that could redefine Warriors’ fantasy outlook next season.

Golden State is treading water in free agency as the Kuminga contract standoff dampens the market. Kuminga envisions roughly 30 million per season, while Golden State has dangled a two-year, 45 million offer with a sign-and-trade path that could unlock flexibility down the line. The wait comes as Kevon Looney signs with the New Orleans Pelicans, thinning the Warriors’ interior and pressuring the frontcourt rotation.

The stalemate also drags Al Horford into the mix. ESPN's sources describe a real possibility that Horford retires if the holdout continues, even as the Celtics show no current plan to bring him back. Horford’s veteran leadership figures into Golden State’s calculus, but at 39, the Warriors may yet pivot to younger players rather than a stopgap signing.

With the veteran logjam and Kuminga’s pay-demand, Golden State’s path to a more dynamic roster remains uncertain. The drama underscores how a single negotiation can ripple across the league, shaping not just the Warriors’ floor but fantasy projections for Kuminga, Looney’s successor, and any veteran addition the Warriors might pursue.