The Golden State Warriors find themselves in a complicated situation for the first time in years after missing out on LeBron James. Essentially, they’ll stick with the same trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, while counting on the rookies Jaxel Landeborg and Moses Moody—hopefully they can contribute. Butler, currently sidelined with a torn ACL, is expected to return by playoff time. Once a perennial powerhouse, the Warriors now have decisions to make, particularly hoping rivals vying for the last playoff spot stumble this offseason.
Consequently, the Warriors are just an average team in the Western Conference, up against teams like the Thunder, Spurs, Nuggets, and Timberwolves. And that’s not even considering the ambitious projects unfolding in cities like Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Miami. Following LeBron’s move to the Sixers, the Warriors sit 23rd out of 30 in early NBA Power Rankings. Speculation is swirling about whether Golden State might actually contemplate trading Stephen Curry, acknowledging that while they want to build a contender around him, they lack the necessary assets right now.
Then there’s the Charlotte Hornets. Curry finds himself in an interesting spot where he could consider a sentimental move. A Charlotte native, he has fond memories of his time there, including performing at Panthers games and hanging out with Muggsy Bogues in the Hornets’ locker room. The “Bring Steph Home” sentiment has floated around among Hornets fans ever since the franchise overlooked him in the 2009 draft, often jokingly pondering if he would ever leave the Warriors for North Carolina.
So, could this actually be a possibility now? Discussions about the Warriors potentially trading Curry are becoming more frequent, and the Hornets have some of the assets needed. However, bringing in a 38-year-old star to a young roster may seem imprudent. This is combined with Curry putting Charlotte on his radar recently, which has added fuel to the rumor mill.
The burning question is—what does it mean for everyone involved?
Reasons for the Warriors to trade Steph
Teams typically don’t fare well being caught in a difficult situation. Ideally, they would keep Curry, chase another championship, and let him retire as a victor, but that seems less likely now. Their attempt to land LeBron fell flat, leaving them in a bind.
The Warriors could still have a solid team if Butler manages to recover in time for the playoffs, but that still pales in comparison to their competition in the West. As hard as it may be, this could be the right moment for a farewell to Curry in exchange for draft picks, without incurring a hefty salary since Charlotte has a significant trade exception to absorb Curry’s contract.
Reasons against trading Steph for the Warriors
What’s actually worth it? If the Warriors trade Curry and dismantle the roster, they’d face serious backlash, and fans don’t want to just think about future draft picks. Would two first-round picks, along with several seconds, cut it? And would three firsts even be worthwhile? The potential return must mitigate the PR damage the team would endure, as not all future assets are equally valuable, especially if the Hornets are improving and those draft picks might not be protected.
Honestly, Charlotte isn’t likely to part with Brandon Miller or Con Knuppel to facilitate this. No scenario exists in which they would send away either star for Stephen Curry. Competing for draft picks while letting go of a Hall of Famer like Curry is a challenging situation.
Reasons for the Hornets to trade for Steph
Curry aligns perfectly with what Charles Lee and the Hornets envision. This team isn’t just looking for three-point shooting; they seek a whole offensive overhaul. The potential starting lineup with Steph is impressive, especially in terms of their shooting capability.
Imagine: Stephen Curry, Con Knuppel, Brandon Miller, Naz Reid, and Hannes Steinbach.
All four starters have shooting prowess, with Reid bringing stability in the paint. Factor in a bench featuring Coby White and Christian Anderson Jr., who specialize in three-pointers, alongside must-have rebounders like Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabaté, and the Hornets would be significantly enhanced by Curry’s involvement.
Acquiring Steph not only boosts the Hornets’ performance but also significantly improves their public image. After the LaMelo Ball trade, the team faced criticism for seeming disinterested in winning. While the move was strategically sound, the loss of such a key player was difficult for fans to digest.
Adding Stephen Curry could make a notable impact. Bringing a beloved figure like him to the city, someone who grew up in the Hornets’ locker room during his father’s career, would be a fitting narrative.
Reasons against the Hornets trading for Steph
What exactly is the objective for this team? What do they really aim to achieve in the Eastern Conference? While adding Curry might propel them into the playoffs, is it worth sacrificing the future they’ve carefully built through hardship?
The Hornets should be wary of their draft capital in the coming years. The 2025 NBA Draft allowed them to secure a promising talent in Knuppel and bring in solid role players like Kalkbrenner and Zion James. If they have a solid scouting track record, it could be better to hold onto future assets rather than trade for Curry, anticipating aging stars in the Eastern Conference.
Leadership dynamics are also a concern. There’s speculation that Coby White re-signed to take on a bigger role, and taking away Ball could allow Miller and Knuppel to develop as leaders. However, bringing in Curry might disrupt that dynamic, as he would likely emerge as the dominant figure on the team.
While it could be beneficial for basketball, it might not align with the organization’s current needs.
What happens if no decisions are made?
For the Warriors, letting go of Stephen Curry would require a monumental reason. The depth of his connection to Golden State and his head coach Steve Kerr is profound, making any potential split difficult.
Perhaps the best strategy would be to observe the early season and assess trade options closer to the deadline when they may find more favorable circumstances to improve their standing. As teams start to reconsider their strategies, the Warriors may want to hold onto Curry, Butler, and Green until they truly need to rethink their direction.
Nevertheless, there’s always a chance for change, and if any team is likely to take a shot in the dark, it could very well be the Charlotte Hornets. So, it might be wise to keep an open mind.
