While many fans might not be optimistic regarding the Golden State Warriors coming into the 2026-27 season, the players aren’t feeling the same way.

After failing to make the playoffs last season, and bringing back the same core this season, the Warriors are once again looked at as a play-in team, who could easily miss the playoffs for a second straight season.

They made no significant offseason moves, got a year older, and will be without Jimmy Butler to start the year.

Despite the lack of confidence in the team from experts and fans, a key veteran doesn’t feel the same way.

Gary Payton, who re-signed with the team on a one-year deal, believes this squad is similar to the 2022 team that ended up winning an NBA championship.

Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area, Payton explained that the low expectations could work to the benefit of the veteran squad.

“It kind of gives, in a sense, a ’22 feeling. We’re not expected to do anything, but we still got a pretty good veteran core, and we got some talented young guys. The goal this year, the motto for me, is stay healthy and have fun,” he said.

The Warriors finished 53-29 that season, good enough for third in the West, before knocking off the Boston Celtics to collect the fourth ring of the Steph Curry era. The prior season, they finished eighth in the West, but were without Klay Thompson.

The 2022 Warriors had championship odds of +900 and an over/under win total of 48.5. Their preseason odds were fourth best in the league and their win total was fourth highest in the West.

Expectations weren’t exactly low for that team despite how they finished the year prior.

This year is a much different story as their championship odds are 17th best in the league at +5500 and their win total is 39.5.

The Warriors are one of the older teams in the league, and their health is questionable with the injury history of Curry, Horford, Porzingis, and Butler speaking for itself. They will need major internal improvements from Brandin Podziemski and Will Richard, along with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, to be everything as advertised and more.

If Butler can come back healthy and return to form, the Warriors are likely being downplayed because he and Curry have been a strong duo when they’ve been on the floor together. But if he shows his age and can’t regain his form after an ACL injury, the team could be in big trouble.