The Golden State Warriors appear to be witnessing the end of an era. With an aging core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler, the Dubs will look to make a run at winning it all. However, as constructed, it is evident that Golden State does not have enough to contend for the title, especially in a loaded Western Conference.
Given that the Warriors’ dynasty could realistically be coming to an end, the franchise seems to have set its sights on the future. With the 2027 free agency class featuring some of the biggest names in the game, the Dubs are expected to maintain cap flexibility to be able to pursue a superstar.
Currently, only Moses Moody and Buddy Hield are expected to be on the books once free agency begins in 2027.Â
Warriors’ superstar Stephen Curry will be among the noteworthy names in the 2027 free agency class. Given that the Dubs could re-sign the four-time champion, here are four superstar targets that they could pair with their long-standing franchise cornerstone to help start a new dynasty.
Nikola Jokic
Among the several superstars who could become free agents in 2027, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic tops the list, emerging as one of the best targets for the Golden State Warriors.
Jokic is widely regarded as one of the best players in the NBA today and is often viewed as one of the best big men of all time. As a perennial candidate for the MVP award, the Serbian consistently delivers high-quality performances while facilitating wins for his team.
Last season, the seven-time All-Star sustained his incredible production on offense. He averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game on shooting splits of 57.6% from the field, 41.7% from three-point range, and 80.0% from the free-throw line.
Should the Warriors re-sign Curry in 2027, pairing the guard with a big man like Jokic could make for one of the most lethal combinations the NBA has ever seen. With Jokic’s savant-like playmaking skills complementing Curry’s lethal perimeter shooting ability, Golden State would undoubtedly become a team to look out for.
By the 2027-28 season, Jokic would be 32, nearing the end of his prime. This doesn’t become as much of a factor since his game style relies more on IQ than physical tools, but greater concerns regarding his plans to retire and move back to Serbia could become a problem.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has also been viewed as a viable target for the Golden State Warriors in the 2027 free agency period. Considering the rumors linking the forward to the Bay Area earlier in the offseason, the signing could have a legitimate basis.
Signing Antetokounmpo could be huge for the Warriors. By the 2027-28 season, he will be 32, on the brink of turning 33. While this could raise concerns, given the physical toll his playing style has on his body, Golden State could still consider signing him as a priority.
The Greek forward, like Jokic, is a perennial candidate in the MVP race. His versatility as a two-way player is only complemented by his playmaking ability and offensive efficiency. In terms of overall performance, Antetokounmpo is arguably the best player in the league.
Last season, he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, while shooting 60.1% from the field.Â
While his perimeter shooting wasn’t very impressive last season, he is known to take the odd outside shot. With the Warriors, however, he would have more freedom to operate inside the paint. This could make the pair of Antetokounmpo and Curry a potent inside-outside combo, capable of wreaking havoc on opposition defenses.
Similar to Jokic, the Bucks star also has a player option heading into the 2027-28 season. Considering that earlier reports suggested he wouldn’t sign an extension until then, there could be a possible scenario in which he opts out and tests free agency. This would be the ideal situation for Golden State.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Much like the players mentioned before, Karl-Anthony Towns will have a player option, which he could opt to exercise. Should he choose to decline, Golden State could be an intriguing fit for him.
Towns is arguably one of the best big men in the NBA today. Coming off an incredible season with the New York Knicks, the five-time All-Star played a vital role in New York’s tremendous run through the playoffs.
In a single season with the Knicks, Towns has proven himself to be an impactful player. Given the investment New York has made in its core, the franchise believes it can contend for the title in the upcoming season.Â
Towns has played a huge role in aiding the Knicks’ rise in the East. For the 2024-25 season, he averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, while shooting 52.6% from the field and 42.0% from three-point range.
Towns’ versatility as an offensive player is often overshadowed by his floor spacing ability. While he is an extremely capable three-point shooter, the big man is also reliable as an inside presence in the low post and a solid rebounder under the basket.
The Knicks star is the embodiment of the modern big man, featuring a playing style that would align with the Warriors’ system.Â
As impressive as he is on offense, however, his limitations as a defender could become a point of concern for the Warriors. In this regard, signing Towns would create the need to bring in a defensive specialist to support the big man.
Donovan Mitchell
Of the several players in the 2027 free agency class, very few guards have the offensive upside and athleticism that Donovan Mitchell has.Â
Following a tremendous individual performance for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, Mitchell is poised to remain one of the best shooting guards in the league. With two more seasons under his belt, there is good reason to believe he could be on the Warriors’ radar, too.
Mitchell will be 31 years old by the time the 2027-28 season rolls around. While in his prime, the guard could be the primary offensive contributor next to Curry. This won’t be much of a task considering his offensive prowess. As a capable three-level scorer, the six-time All-Star is more than capable of shouldering a team’s offensive load.
Last season, the Cavs’ star averaged 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, while shooting 44.3% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range.Â
Considering his selection to the All-NBA first team and his fifth-place finish in the MVP race last season, Mitchell could be growing in stature as a franchise player. Should the upcoming season also result in success for the Cavs in the playoffs, the experience could transform the guard into a more capable leader, something the Warriors may value as they start a new dynasty.
Cap Space Will Dictate The Warriors’ Moves
Heading into the 2027 free agency period, the Warriors’ front office will have some crucial decisions to make.Â
At 39, nearing 40, Stephen Curry could see a steady decline in his output. While players such as Green and Butler are more likely to part ways with the team by then, it is highly unlikely for the Dubs to let Curry walk in free agency.
In this regard, if the franchise intends to start a new dynasty, the offer they extend to Curry will set the tone for the direction they will head in.Â
Extending a generous deal may be a gesture of respect, but it will limit the kind of talent they can bring in. Hence, the franchise may be forced to prioritize a superstar signing before it can extend an offer to re-sign the four-time champion.
With the need to build their roster around their new core, the Dubs would be advised to sign younger players with high upside, potentially developing them into future stars.
