The Golden State Warriors have constructed a veteran-heavy roster ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. Al Horford and Seth Curry joined the over-30s contingent within Steve Kerr’s rotation.
In fact, the core four of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Horford are all on the wrong side of 30. Steve Kerr is coaching one of the oldest rosters in the NBA. And, while the Warriors are still one of the more talented teams in the league, their age could work against them as we get deeper into the season.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, Golden State’s current roster construction could be tested when facing younger, more athletic opponents in the upcoming season.
“For as well as things clicked upon Jimmy Butler’s deadline addition, they looked a bit old and slow at times after his arrival,” Buckley wrote. “Adding 30-somethings Al Horford and Seth Curry in free agency won’t change that. And while they managed to ultimately re-sign explosive swingman Jonathan Kuminga, it sure sounds like he could be gone as soon as he becomes trade-eligible in mid-January.”
Buckley continued.
“There are younger, more athletic teams all over the Association, and some of them rank among the Western Conference’s top contenders. Savvy and smarts can help overcome some of that deficit, but there’s no real way to fully hide athletic limitations.”
Fortunately, the Warriors do have a string of high-upside younger talents they can lean on when opponents lean into speed and athleticism.
Warriors Younger Rotation May Need to Step Up
Kerr does have a group of younger talents to lean on during the season. Brandin Podziemski has been impressive since entering the league as the 19th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Moses Moody , Jonathan Kuminga , Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post all project to have a spot in Kerr’s rotation.
Therefore, there should be enough balance between veteran savvy and youthful exuberance. The hardest part for Kerr, will be figuring out how to carry that balance onto the court and get the best out of the roster as a collective. After all, leaning on a rotation of pure veteran talent could backfire if their individual and collective minutes aren’t managed with one eye on the playoffs.
Al Horford’s Role With Warriors Still Unclear
The Warriors signed Horford to a two-year $11.6 million deal , expecting him to slot into a starting spot in the upcoming season. However, when speaking to the media following Golden State’s 126-116 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on October 12, Kerr discussed the need to manage Horford’s minutes.
“If Al were a little younger, he’d be in the starting lineup for sure,” Kerr said . “But if he’s playing limited minutes, it’s tougher to start him and finish the game. If he’s not playing as many minutes as he would have a few years ago, we still have a lot to think about.”
Horford isn’t the only veteran in Golden State’s rotation. Therefore, he won’t be the only player to have his playing time monitored. The Warriors have a roster capable of contending for a championship next season. However, how Kerr distributes playing time while still finding a balance will have a significant impact on the team’s chances of success.
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