Warriors dealt brutal prediction as Stephen Curry approaches age 39 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Stephen Curry continues to perform at a level that defies his age. The same cannot be said for the team surrounding him.
The Golden State Warriors endured another frustrating offseason after failing to add the star-level help Curry needed. Their unsuccessful pursuit of LeBron James became the latest missed opportunity for a front office attempting to extend the franchise’s championship window.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey believes the consequences could be severe.
In his win-loss predictions for all 30 NBA teams, Bailey projected Golden State to finish 34-48. That would leave the Warriors well below their listed total of 39.5 wins and likely outside the Western Conference play-in race.
Bailey also raised the possibility that the conclusion of Curry’s career could resemble the difficult final seasons experienced by Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki.
Warriors running out of ways to help Curry
Curry will turn 39 during the 2026-27 season, but he remains capable of performing at an All-NBA level. That brilliance has allowed Golden State to delay a complete collapse. It also has made the organization’s inability to construct a stronger roster around him increasingly frustrating.
The Warriors entered the offseason needing additional scoring, athleticism and younger rotation players. They were unable to land James or another major contributor, leaving an aging core with many of the same limitations. Golden State also lost Quinten Post and did not make a proven veteran addition. Rookies Yaxel Lendeborg and Lajae Jones will enter a difficult situation in which the Warriors might need immediate contributions.
Curry, Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr still provide institutional stability. That trio cannot completely overcome declining depth and durability concerns. Bailey acknowledged that his 34-win projection might even give Golden State too much credit.
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Uncomfortable history could repeat itself
Bryant and Nowitzki remained with one organization for their entire careers, earning substantial final contracts after leading their franchises to championships. Both eventually played for teams no longer equipped to compete.
The Los Angeles Lakers won 17 games during Bryant’s final season. The Dallas Mavericks won 33 games in Nowitzki’s last campaign. Curry is not necessarily at the same stage of his decline. His shooting, conditioning and ability to play without the ball could help him remain effective longer than most guards.
The concern is everything around him.
Golden State’s veteran-heavy supporting cast has dealt with injuries and declining production. The front office also has struggled to find the next foundational player capable of easing Curry’s workload.
An 82-game season becomes especially punishing for an old roster. Even a short Curry absence could send the Warriors tumbling down a Western Conference filled with younger, deeper opponents. The organization now faces a difficult balance. It wants Curry to finish his career in Golden State, but sentimentality cannot manufacture another championship roster.
Curry might still have great basketball left. Bailey’s prediction suggests the Warriors no longer have enough around him to make it matter in the standings.
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