The Golden State Warriors have only won two playoff series since winning the NBA Championship in 2022. 

This past season, they missed the playoffs altogether, losing the second Play-In game. After finishing 10th in the West and winning the first Play-In game against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Warriors were no match for the Phoenix Suns, who secured the eighth seed and sent the Warriors home. 

With time winding down on the careers of Steph Curry and Draymond Green, and Steve Kerr signing on for two more seasons before his future is questioned again, the Warriors will look to make one last run at things with a core that has defined a generation. 

Well, everything, according to general manager Mike Dunleavy. 

"Frankly, we need everything," he said to Bay Area NBC Sports' Dalton Johnson. 

Maybe that's a little harsh, but the Warriors are certainly lacking something given their lack of playoff success in recent seasons. 

The team has tried to make big moves in an effort to remain competitive, notably acquiring Jimmy Butler at the 2025 trade deadline and Kristaps Porzingis at the 2026 trade deadline. 

Butler gave the team some juice going into the 2025 playoffs, but an injury to Curry sunk their chances in the second round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team looked to be a playoff contender throughout 2025-26, but then Butler suffered an ACL tear in January and Curry missed the majority of the second half of the season, knocking them down to a Play-In spot. 

Like every team in the league, health is the most important thing a team can have. But health isn't guaranteed for anyone, especially one of the oldest teams in the league. 

Beyond that, the team needs depth and youth. 

Moses Moody is going to miss the majority of the season after suffering a patella injury. Brandin Podziemski is a solid rotation player, but flawed and inconsistent. Gui Santos and Will Richard have shown flashes, but also have inconsistencies. 

Head coach Steve Kerr doesn't always trust the young players, leading to some of those inconsistencies throughout the season, while the veteran players can't stay on the floor. 

The Warriors have to find a top-end young player who can make an immediate impact and gain the trust of Kerr to work through problems, or get younger veterans who might not miss as much time with injuries. 

That's easier said than done.