Kerr's Own Words, Not the Rumor Mill, Set the Tone Before Camp
Before a single game is played, Steve Kerr's comments this week on Draymond Green, on the LeBron James pursuit, and on the roster's missing youth say more about where the Warriors stand than anything logged from an insider.
The Warriors are still 0-0, but the most useful information of the last two days came from the head coach, not a report: Kerr called this an 'interesting year, a transition year of sorts' and named what he needs from Draymond Green, addressed fan frustration over the LeBron James pursuit, and admitted the roster added little youth this offseason. None of that changes on its own — Golden State is already $221.1 million into payroll, above the $200.4 million tax line, with two rotation pieces not returning until December.
A transition year, by Kerr's own description
Kerr said this week it will be 'an interesting year, a transition year of sorts,' and tied that to what he needs from Draymond Green, now 36 and entering his 14th season. Green averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists last season, numbers that describe a connector, not a scorer. Whatever Kerr wants from him this year, camp is where it gets defined.
The LeBron question hasn't gone away
Kerr also addressed what he called the 'weird' feelings around Dub Nation over the Warriors' offseason pursuit of LeBron James, a pursuit that produced no deal. Curry, 38 and entering his 17th season, is still the engine, and the front office moved on without adding him.
No infusion of youth
Kerr was candid about the team's inability to add much youth this offseason. The only roster move logged since summer is forward Alex Toohey re-signing on an Exhibit 10 deal. Golden State keeps its own first-round picks through 2029, but owes a 2029 second-rounder to Brooklyn and a protected 2030 first to Memphis, leaving little young talent in the pipeline beyond what's already here.
What's ahead, and who's missing
Preseason opens October 4 at the Clippers, with the Lakers and Trail Blazers to follow, before the regular season begins October 21 at the Lakers on ESPN. Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody, who combined for 20.0 and 12.1 points a game last season, are both out with knee injuries and not expected back until December 1 — the transition Kerr described starts without two rotation pieces already in the building.
When do the Warriors start the 2026-27 season?
Preseason opens October 4 at the Clippers, and the regular season begins October 21 at the Lakers on ESPN.
Are Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody healthy for the start of the season?
No. Both are out with knee injuries and are not expected back until December 1, so both will miss the start of the regular season.
