Golden State Trims Its Bench Before Camp Even Starts
Before the Warriors take the floor, the front office already reshaped the roster around two significant absences.
Golden State waived guards Chance McMillian and Deivon Smith on September 17, clearing bench spots more than two weeks before preseason opens. The move lands with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody both out with knee injuries and the payroll already above the league's apron threshold at $221.1 million.
Two Names Leave the Group
On September 17, the Warriors waived guards Chance McMillian and Deivon Smith, ending their short stays with the club. Both had been on camp-representative deals; their exit trims the roster down toward the group that will actually compete for minutes when camp opens.
The Calendar Ahead
Preseason starts October 4 at the Clippers, with a home date against the Lakers October 6 and road stops at the Trail Blazers and against the Kings before mid-October. The regular season opens October 21 at the Lakers, an ESPN game that will be the first real look at this roster.
Two Starters, Missing
Moody and Butler both remain sidelined by knee injuries, each with a target return date of December 1. That leaves early minutes at forward and wing to be sorted out among Draymond Green, Kristaps Porziņģis, Brandin Podziemski and the rest of the group, since two of the roster's most complete two-way pieces won't play until winter.
What Camp Has to Answer
The open question is who absorbs the shots and minutes that would have gone to Moody and Butler, and whether this week's subtractions are the last before the opener. A team already spending above the apron has less room than most to answer that question by adding help from outside.
Why did the Warriors waive Chance McMillian and Deivon Smith?
Both were on camp-representative deals, and Golden State moved on from each on September 17, ahead of training camp.
When will Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody return for the Warriors?
Both are out with knee injuries, with a target return date of December 1, 2026.
