Golden State Warriors’ 2025–26 Projected Roster Revealed by ESPN: Major Shifts, New Faces, and Big Questions Loom Large

The Golden State Warriors are entering the 2025–26 NBA season with more uncertainty than they’ve faced in over a decade. Following the departure of long-time cornerstones and the erosion of their once-feared dynasty, ESPN’s latest projections offer a glimpse into a roster that signals both transition and experimentation. With Stephen Curry aging, Draymond Green’s role diminishing, and Klay Thompson no longer in the picture, the Warriors are shifting toward a future defined by youth, flexibility, and the hope that lightning might strike again.

ESPN’s report, compiled by NBA insiders and team sources, outlines a possible 2025–26 Warriors roster shaped by cap constraints, trade whispers, and recent offseason developments. The most notable absence? Jonathan Kuminga. The former No. 7 overall pick has reportedly grown frustrated with his role in Steve Kerr’s rotation, especially after a rocky 2024–25 campaign marked by DNPs and fourth-quarter benchings. Kuminga is said to be seeking a fresh start and a new contract in the $30 million-per-year range—terms Golden State appears unwilling to meet given his inconsistency and the organization’s financial situation.

That leaves the Warriors with a projected starting five of: Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Kevon Looney. Curry, who turns 38 during the season, remains the heart of the team, but questions persist about how long he can remain elite. His shooting touch hasn’t left him—he averaged 24.5 points on 40.1% from three last season—but the defensive burden and declining speed have forced Golden State to surround him with younger legs.

Moses Moody, entering his fourth year, is now seen as the team’s primary two-way wing. After showing flashes of shot-making and defensive intensity last year, Moody is projected to take a leap. ESPN analysts believe the Warriors will lean heavily on his development, especially with Klay Thompson departing for the Orlando Magic on a two-year deal. Thompson’s exit not only ends the fabled “Splash Brothers” era, but also opens a void in locker room leadership and off-ball scoring.

Brandin Podziemski, one of the few bright spots last year, is expected to start at the small forward position. The crafty playmaker has won over Kerr and the coaching staff with his basketball IQ, grit, and shooting ability. He averaged 11.9 points, 4.7 assists, and shot nearly 37% from beyond the arc as a sophomore. With more responsibility on both ends of the floor, the Warriors hope Podziemski can serve as a connector—gluing together Curry’s offensive brilliance with the raw energy of the frontcourt.

Speaking of which, Trayce Jackson-Davis is penciled in as the likely power forward starter. The Indiana product impressed with his rebounding, motor, and rim protection during his rookie and sophomore campaigns. ESPN notes that Golden State is eager to see how he handles an expanded role, especially if Green—who suffered multiple lower-body injuries last year—continues to decline. Though not a perimeter threat, Jackson-Davis provides sorely needed athleticism and interior defense, something the Warriors lacked in previous small-ball iterations.

At center, Kevon Looney remains a staple. Though not flashy, the veteran big man is trusted by Steve Kerr and has long served as the team’s stabilizer in the paint. While his athleticism has dipped, Looney’s screen-setting, rebounding, and basketball IQ continue to anchor Golden State’s schemes. ESPN analysts believe that, barring injury, Looney will open the season as the starter but could gradually cede minutes to newcomers like rookie second-round pick Amari Bailey Jr., a 6-foot-10 project from UCLA known for his upside as a stretch-five.

Off the bench, the Warriors are expected to feature Gary Payton II, Dario Šarić, Chris Duarte, Pat Spencer, and newly signed guard Davion Mitchell—a defensive specialist acquired from Sacramento in a sign-and-trade involving draft assets. Payton’s health remains a concern, but when available, he brings invaluable point-of-attack defense. Duarte, meanwhile, will be asked to provide spacing and length, though his development has stalled since a strong rookie season in Indiana.

Šarić re-signed on a one-year veteran’s minimum deal, reportedly drawn to the Warriors’ culture and opportunity. He adds playmaking from the frontcourt and the ability to stretch the floor, although his lateral movement on defense has become a liability. The surprise of the depth chart might be Pat Spencer—a two-sport athlete who transitioned from lacrosse to basketball and impressed during Summer League with his hustle and versatility. ESPN notes that Kerr’s staff views Spencer as a potential situational guard capable of switching defensively and keeping the offense moving.

One of the more intriguing additions is rookie wing Terrence Shannon Jr., a first-round pick out of Illinois. Known for his athleticism and slashing ability, Shannon has already drawn comparisons to a young Andre Iguodala. While still raw as a shooter, the 6-foot-6 forward could become a critical part of the second unit as the Warriors attempt to rebuild their defensive identity. His motor and physicality will be crucial against Western Conference teams loaded with athletic wings.

Notably absent from the projected roster is Draymond Green. Though still under contract, multiple ESPN sources believe the Warriors could either limit his minutes drastically or entertain trade offers before the deadline if chemistry issues continue. Green’s volatile behavior—including another suspension last season—has raised concerns internally. While his basketball mind remains elite, his diminishing offensive utility and rising liability status have made him expendable in the eyes of some front office voices.

Also hanging in the balance is Andrew Wiggins, whose performance last season was marred by injuries and off-court distractions. Once seen as a key to the Warriors’ two-timeline plan, Wiggins has struggled to replicate his 2022 championship form. ESPN projects him as a trade candidate, especially if Kuminga is moved in a separate deal. The front office reportedly explored packages involving Wiggins and future picks during the offseason but found little traction given his contract and inconsistent production.

Coach Steve Kerr, entering the second year of his extension, faces arguably the toughest challenge of his tenure. Tasked with integrating young talent while remaining competitive in a loaded Western Conference, Kerr must balance development with the demands of Curry’s final prime window. ESPN insiders describe a locker room in transition: still led by veterans, but increasingly shaped by players born after Curry’s rookie season.

The front office—led by Mike Dunleavy Jr.—appears committed to a soft rebuild, aiming to stay competitive without mortgaging the future. This strategy is reflected in their restrained offseason, where they prioritized rookie development, cost-controlled contracts, and draft capital over splashy signings. Still, ESPN notes that a major trade could materialize if the team underperforms in the opening months. With Curry still capable of elite moments, the pressure to maximize the present is real.

Golden State’s projected cap situation remains tight. Curry is set to make $55.8 million, while Green and Wiggins command over $25 million each. This has forced the Warriors to round out the roster with minimum contracts, rookies, and non-guaranteed deals—creating both opportunity and instability.

ESPN’s final projected depth chart for the 2025–26 Warriors looks like this:

Starters:
PG – Stephen Curry
SG – Moses Moody
SF – Brandin Podziemski
PF – Trayce Jackson-Davis
C – Kevon Looney

Bench:
G – Gary Payton II
G – Davion Mitchell
F – Chris Duarte
F – Dario Šarić
F – Terrence Shannon Jr.
F – Pat Spencer
C – Amari Bailey Jr.

Reserves:
G – Lester Quinones (two-way)
F – Gui Santos (two-way)
G – Jalen Llewellyn (training camp invite)

With training camp just months away, the Warriors face a season of reckoning. The dynasty is all but gone, the future remains unclear, and the bridge between eras appears fragile. But if ESPN’s projections hold true, Golden State may not be done just yet. They won’t be the same—but in the chaos of transition, a new identity could begin to form. Whether that identity wins games or simply buys time until the next era, remains to be seen. For now, the Warriors are no longer chasing banners—they’re chasing belief.