Warriors Executive Reveals Mindset in Trading Draft Capital

Mike Dunleavy is willing to discuss Golden State's draft picks, with a price that reflects how much they could be worth after Stephen Curry's run ends.

The Warriors can talk about almost any deal, though the return has to change the team in a serious way for years before future first-rounders leave the building.

That approach fits a roster caught between Curry's remaining seasons and the years that will follow him.

Golden State has veterans who can still win games, younger players who need larger roles and draft assets that may become more useful as the current group ages.

Dunleavy explained the standard in one full response, saying, “Our picks always will and have been in play. To give up our picks, it’s got to be meaningful to get something back. So, for that reason, there’s only so many players out there that probably warrant putting stuff like that on the table. But we’re looking at everything. Joe Lacob is our owner, so you’re always exploring all possibilities, willing to do any type of deal.”

Golden State wants a player who can hold a major role for more than a few months.

A small upgrade wouldn't justify moving a pick that could land near the top of a future draft after Curry retires.

Dunleavy has already talked openly about planning beyond Curry and Draymond Green, so the front office understands how different those picks may look later.

Curry still averaged 26.6 points last season, which gives the Warriors a reason to keep searching for immediate help.

His production also makes patience harder because every quiet deadline uses another part of a season that can't be returned.

Golden State showed some restraint when it kept the number 11 pick through draft night, even with veteran targets available around the league.

That choice added a young player while preserving the larger first-round package for a deal that offers more certainty.

Keeping those picks also lets the Warriors enter each conversation without having to complete it.

They can ask about an established scorer, compare that price with a younger two-way player and leave if the return falls below Dunleavy's standard.

The useful part of having several assets is the ability to wait through one round of talks without losing the chance to call again when another team changes direction.

Jimmy Butler's recovery adds another layer because his 20.0 points per game before the knee injury won't be easy to replace with one middle-level move.

Golden State has to judge whether a target can play beside Curry now and remain useful when the roster changes again.

The front office has also turned a crowded position into a future second-round pick, which shows that smaller asset moves still have a place.

First-round decisions carry a different cost, and Dunleavy's comments leave room for a major swing whenever a player finally meets it.

That player may become available suddenly, so Golden State's work is deciding which names deserve the risk before another team sets the market.