Some Golden State Warriors supporters have a humorous side. They’ve witnessed the team’s transformation from one of the NBA’s weakest franchises to a dominant dynasty, yet their favorite pastime remains criticizing the management. Their grievances include the team’s failure to develop young talent, the leniency shown toward Draymond Green, Steve Kerr’s focus on small-ball lineups, the ongoing failure of dual timeline strategies, and a general reluctance to trade future draft picks. The core concern is that these issues are causing the Warriors to squander the prime championship years of Stephen Curry. Fans feel the organization is passively waiting for Curry’s decline instead of fully committing to building around a proven superstar leader.
Stephen Curry’s championship era with the Warriors is likely nearing its end.
As a lifelong Warriors fan who grew up with Run TMC and experienced the thrill of We Believe, I have also voiced these criticisms – sometimes passionately. Yet, I acknowledge how spoiled we’ve become; winning four championships far exceeds the hopes of past fans, and all good things come to a close. However, as stories captivate us, we begin to care deeply about their conclusion — and timing it right is tricky. Waiting too long to move on risks ending up like the Milwaukee Bucks, who arguably should have traded Giannis earlier but instead committed huge contracts to players like Damian Lillard and Myles Turner to prolong an evidently ended chapter.
In contrast, the Warriors have focused on planning beyond Curry for the past five years, largely driven by owner Joe Lacob. Lacob, a venture capitalist, wants to be recognized as the mastermind behind the franchise’s success and is eager to craft a new winning narrative after Curry. As Andre Iguodala pointed out, 80 percent of the Warriors’ success comes from Curry, a fact Lacob dislikes but cannot deny. This desire for credit echoes the late Bulls GM Jerry Krause’s famous insistence that championships belong to the organization, not just players and coaches—though the Bulls’ dynasty was ultimately defined by Michael Jordan, proving star power matters most.
Lacob seeks his own story, a different ending. While Curry was winning the 2022 championship, Lacob was already drafting new talent years earlier, such as James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga, hoping to find the next franchise cornerstone. However, Lacob’s deep involvement in personnel decisions risks disrupting the front office balance. History shows owners meddling in basketball operations seldom ends well—like the Dallas Cowboys after Jerry Jones tried to take over as GM.
The lesson for owners is to stick to their role: provide funds and let basketball experts run the team. If Lacob had trusted veteran evaluators over his instincts, giving Curry the benefits of better draft choices and strong complementary players, the Warriors might already have five titles and be closing in on Michael Jordan’s six. That’s why fans are frustrated—the Warriors had the resources to keep Curry surrounded by elite talent, but Lacob has been hesitant to fully invest post-Curry, prioritizing ego over winning now.
Interestingly, Lacob’s pursuit of a new star via the draft has been fraught with missed opportunities. For example:
- In 2021, the Warriors picked Kuminga over Trey Murphy III and Franz Wagner, missing out on promising talent.
- In 2020, after watching Wiseman’s workouts, Lacob dismissed other prospects like Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, and Tyrese Haliburton.
- In 2018, the Warriors drafted Jacob Evans well before Jalen Brunson, who has since established himself in the league.
While the draft is always uncertain, the biggest issue was waiting too long to admit these selections weren’t panning out—decisions tied directly to Lacob’s influence. This is why the Wiseman and Kuminga situations linger; parting with them would damage Lacob’s pride, as he’s committed to orchestrating the Warriors’ post-Curry era.
Ultimately, the dual timeline strategy drives the current approach. When the “post-Curry” timeline takes over, the Warriors will have salary cap space and a strong brand to attract a new superstar. Even Curry believes superstars should help maintain competitive teams rather than depleting assets, which is admirable. However, Lacob’s priorities have long been elsewhere. Curry is the true catalyst behind the Warriors’ championships and their $10 billion franchise value. Even though Lacob reportedly tried to offer Curry a below-max deal in 2017, the star’s impact has been unparalleled.
As Iguodala noted, ownership often feels entitled to championship glory and assumes they can rebuild quickly after legends depart. Lacob’s confidence in this “next chapter” might be misplaced. Despite his plans, Curry remains the heart of the Warriors’ success, as shown by the 2022 title. When Curry’s era finally ends, Lacob may regret not fully capitalizing on this golden period.
Fan Take: This story highlights the delicate balance between ownership ambition and basketball operations, showing how crucial it is to support star players with smart team-building. For basketball lovers, it serves as a reminder that dynasties rely on both top talent and sound management—and that the transition between eras can define a franchise’s legacy.
