The Golden State Warriors missed out on LeBron James and immediately pivoted to filling their roster with familiar names in an attempt to run it back — but they hope they stay healthy this time.
The first order of business was bringing back the heart and soul of their team, four-time All-Star Draymond Green, for his 15th NBA season. Green inked a one-year, $27.7 million contract, a person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
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He averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 27.5 minutes over 68 games during the 2025-26 season. One of his most valuable assets is his level of commitment on the defensive end, where he’s compiled nine all-defensive selections and the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year award.
After finalizing Green’s contract, the Warriors continued to focus on rounding out the roster with guys who know exactly what to bring to the table.
Golden State remains committed to continuity. The Warriors brought back veteran center Al Horford, who turned 40 in June, on a multi-year contract. The team announced Saturday, Aug. 1, it had signed both De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II, bringing both back for the 2026-27 season.
Melton averaged a career-high 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 23 minutes after missing the first 22 games recovering from a torn left ACL. Melton is going into his eighth NBA season.
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Payton played a career-high 73 games last season with the Warriors, where he averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 15.6 minutes per game. He also led the team with 58.3% field goal shooting.
What’s next for Warriors after missing out on LeBron?
It’s back to business as usual. The Warriors were reportedly never sold on James truly considering the Bay Area as a home for his 24th season. They hoped James would pick them, but did not lean on that possibility.
So naturally, they move on.
For the Warriors that means looking internally. There’s feeling around the Warriors organization that the team could have been in legitimate postseason contention if it had not faced as many untimely injuries. Key players, such as Stephen Curry (jumper’s knee), Jimmy Butler (torn ACL) and Moses Moody (torn patellar tendon), missed considerable time. The Warriors acquired Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline, but with injury-riddled lineups, they never got to see the full potential of their addition.
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The hope is that they come back healthy for the 2026-27 season and get a true look at what the team could be through the course of the season.
Anticipate moves during summer 2027
As players heal and gear up for the 2026-27 season, it should be noted that many of the Warriors’ top contracts expire next summer. That includes those of veterans Curry, Green and Butler.
Melton, Payton and Brandin Podziemski are also in need of new deals. Porzingis has a player option to return in 2027-28 or he could become a free agent.
There is plenty of superstar talent that will potentially be unrestricted free agents next July. That list includes Curry, Michael Porter Jr. and Tyler Herro.
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An even bigger list is the number of stars with player options who could become free agents in 2027, which includes superstars like Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, to name a few.
Don’t expect all those names to become available — some will opt in while others will opt out but are committed to their teams while seeking a bigger payday.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Warriors run it back with familiar faces after missing out on LeBron James
