Stephen Curry wants to see the Golden State Warriors improve sooner rather than later. However, with the NBA trade deadline three weeks away, the two-time MVP cautioned against making any rash moves that could jeopardize the organization’s long-term future.
Golden State dropped to 19-20 on Monday after a 104-101 setback to the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena, marking the first time all season the Warriors have been under .500. A 12-3 start was followed by a skid in which Golden State has lost 17 of its last 24 contests.
“Desperate trades or desperate moves that deplete the future, there is a responsibility on allowing or keeping the franchise in a good space,” Curry said. “Doesn’t mean that you’re not trying to get better, or that you’re not active. But it doesn’t mean you’re flinging assets around just because you want to do something.”
Curry’s remarks echoed what Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., head coach Steve Kerr, and forward Draymond Green have repeated since training camp: Golden State will seek upgrades only if it makes sense both now and in the future. Green recently told Yahoo Sports that he, Kerr, and Curry have been united in wanting to avoid a trade that would “mortgage” the team’s long-term potential.
“While we understand we’re getting older and deeper into our careers and allowing some of the young guys to kind of blossom, it doesn’t mean you’re getting desperate,” Curry said.
Late-Game Struggles in Toronto
The Warriors, already short-handed without Green (illness/back), Jonathan Kuminga (ankle), Gary Payton II (calf), and Brandin Podziemski (abdomen), led by nine points with just over nine minutes left. They still clung to a 101-98 edge with 2:34 to go but failed to score again, missing their final five shots.
Curry finished with 26 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds, but the Raptors denied him a chance to touch the ball on the final possession. Andrew Wiggins and Buddy Hield misfired from beyond the arc in the closing seconds, sealing the Warriors’ fate.
“This is as frustrating a night as we’ve had all season for me,” Kerr said. “I have to find a way to help this team, and I’m not doing a good job of that.”
Another Golden State Warriors Lineup Shuffle
Kerr has used 22 different starting lineups in hopes of finding a spark. Curry acknowledged frustration has sometimes set in—the star guard referred to the team’s performance as “mid.” He remains optimistic that continuity and a cautious approach at the trade deadline can help the Warriors weather the current storm.
“Mike [Dunleavy Jr.] understands we want to win,” Curry said. “We’re trying to stay relevant in the championship chase. But we also need to be smart about how we manage the future.”
Golden State heads to Minneapolis on Wednesday, looking to even its record at 20-20 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the disappointing skid, Curry insists the Warriors’ championship pedigree is intact—provided they avoid panicking and remain open to wise roster tweaks.
“It sucks!” Kerr admitted about being under .500. “I don’t like it. But here we are, so we got to do better.”
