The Golden State Warriors are back in business, and this time they mean it. After a rocky start to the season, Golden State pulled the trigger on a massive move to bring in Jimmy Butler, a proven playoff performer, instantly transforming their lineup.
The result? A rejuvenated squad that’s now firmly in the mix for a top-six playoff seed in the West. With Stephen Curry still playing at an elite level, Draymond Green being his usual self, and a supporting cast deeper than it’s been in years, the Warriors look like a team no one wants to face come spring.
But it’s not just the stars who deserve the praise. The Warriors’ roster is loaded with specialists who bring elite shooting, perimeter defense, and versatility—traits that have defined Golden State’s success for nearly a decade. And let’s not overlook the underrated contributors either.
In a conference loaded with talent, the Warriors might have the best blend of stars, shooters, stoppers, and sleepers to make a legitimate title run. It’s time to break down who’s leading the charge in the Bay.
Warriors Best Players
Tier 1 – Stephen Curry
Tier 2 – Jimmy Butler III, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green
Tier 3 – Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski
Tier 4 – Quinten Post, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Trayce Jackson-Davis
Tier 5 – Gui Santos, Kevin Knox, Pat Spencer
When it comes to the Warriors’ best players, Stephen Curry stands alone in Tier 1—and for good reason. Even as he is a few days away from turning 37, he’s playing like a superstar, torching defenses with his off-ball movement and lethal shooting. Curry’s putting up 24.4 points per game on 40.1% from deep. Simply put, as long as Curry is suiting up, the Warriors have a shot against anyone.
In Tier 2, the impact of Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, and Draymond Green can’t be overstated. Butler’s arrival has given Golden State a two-way star who thrives in crunch time, averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game while locking down opposing wings.
Kuminga has taken a leap forward, putting up 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds a night, proving he’s more than just potential, and the Warriors will love to have him back as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Draymond continues to be the heartbeat of the team’s defense, quarterbacking from the backline with 6.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and his trademark versatility. This trio balances offense and defense perfectly, providing Curry with the support he needs.
Tier 3 brings in the sharpshooting of Buddy Hield, who’s hitting 36.2% of his threes while posting 11.4 points per game. Despite the criticism he receives, Hield is always a threat to the defense. Meanwhile, Moses Moody has embraced his role, contributing timely scoring and gritty perimeter defense with 9.5 points per game.
Brandin Podziemski has been a pleasant surprise, posting 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. This group provides the secondary scoring and shooting that make the Warriors so hard to guard.
Then there’s Tier 4, a collection of role players who thrive in doing the dirty work. Quinten Post (8.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG) has been better than anyone could have expected and Gary Payton II is a defensive menace, racking up steals and locking down opposing guards. Kevon Looney continues to dominate the glass, averaging 6.6 rebounds, while Trayce Jackson-Davis has flashed potential as a versatile defender and rim protector (7.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG).
Rounding out the depth are guys like Gui Santos (4.1 PPG) and Kevin Knox (4.0 PPG, 1.6 RPG) in Tier 5, who might not play big minutes but give Steve Kerr reliable options when needed. With this mix of stars, shooters, and specialists, the Warriors have assembled one of the deepest rosters in the league.
Warriors Best Defenders
Tier 1 – Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler III
Tier 2 – Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Gary Payton II
Tier 3 – Kevon Looney, Buddy Hield
Tier 4 – Trayce Jackson-Davis, Kevin Knox
Tier 5 – Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Quinten Post, Pat Spencer
When it comes to defense, the Warriors boast two of the NBA’s most recognized stoppers, starting with Tier 1’s Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III. Draymond remains the defensive anchor, orchestrating Golden State’s schemes with his elite IQ, versatility, and communication. He’s averaging 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, switching seamlessly from guarding bigs to wings without missing a beat.
Meanwhile, Butler’s presence could soon take the Warriors’ defense to another level. With 1.1 steals per game, he’s a master of reading passing lanes and locking down the opposition’s best scorers. The pairing of Draymond’s versatility and Butler’s on-ball tenacity gives the Warriors a defensive core that few teams can match.
Tier 2 is where the Warriors’ defensive depth truly shines. Jonathan Kuminga has emerged as a two-way force, leveraging his athleticism to guard multiple positions while chipping in with 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. Moses Moody and Gary Payton II are the perimeter hounds, hounding opposing guards full-court and forcing turnovers.
Payton’s 0.7 steals per game might not capture how disruptive he is, frequently blowing up hand-offs and making life miserable for ball-handlers. Moody’s wingspan and quickness have made him a reliable defender, especially in closing lineups.
In Tier 3, Kevon Looney continues to be a defensive rock in the paint, anchoring the middle with his positioning and rebounding—pulling down 6.6 boards per game while serving as a reliable rim protector. Surprisingly, Buddy Hield has stepped up his defensive effort this season, showing he’s more than just a shooter by sticking with wings on the perimeter and contesting shots.
Rounding out the group, Tier 4 and Tier 5 bring other skills to the table more than defense. Trayce Jackson-Davis has flashed promise as a shot-blocker despite his inconsistency on defense, while Kevin Knox has provided solid minutes on switches and closeouts.
Stephen Curry is no lockdown guy by any means, but his improved positioning and willingness to take charges have been noticeable. Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos might still be learning the ropes, but their energy and hustle fit right into the Warriors’ defensive culture.
Warriors Best 3-Point Shooters
Tier 1 – Stephen Curry
Tier 2 – Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, Quinten Post
Tier 3 – Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos
Tier 4 – Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler III, Kevin Knox, Gary Payton II
Tier 5 – Pat Spencer, Kevon Looney, Trayce Jackson-Davis
When it comes to three-point shooting, the Warriors’ arsenal is headlined by the greatest shooter in NBA history: Tier 1’s Stephen Curry. Even in his 16th season, Steph is showing zero signs of slowing down, torching defenses at a 40.1% clip from beyond the arc while attempting 11.2 threes per game. The Warriors’ offense is built around Curry’s unparalleled shooting, and his presence alone makes them a nightmare to guard.
Tier 2 brings some serious heat in its own right, with Buddy Hield and Moses Moody offering elite spacing. Hield’s sharpshooting—36.2% from three on 6.9 attempts per night—is exactly what the Warriors envisioned when they acquired him. His catch-and-shoot prowess is a perfect fit alongside Curry, punishing teams that dare to send help.
Meanwhile, Moses Moody has taken a leap, knocking down 38.3% of his threes (on only 4.4 attempts per game) and proving himself a reliable spot-up threat in Kerr’s offense. Quinten Post is hitting at a 42.9% clip and has been sneakily impressive when letting the ball loose. The trio’s ability to stretch the floor gives the Warriors multiple outlets and keeps defenses scrambling.
Tier 3 showcases a mix of emerging shooters and surprise contributors. Jonathan Kuminga is trying to improve his jumper—his 34.5% shooting from three is decent, and the same goes for Gui Santos who is shooting 35.7%. Brandin Podziemski has been inconsistent, shooting 31.9%, but we expect him to make open jumpers when he gets the ball.
In Tier 4, you find players who aren’t known for their shooting but have stepped up when left open. Draymond Green (32.7%) and Jimmy Butler III (28.1%) might not take a lot of threes, but they’ve been timely, hitting just enough to prevent defenses from sagging off completely. Kevin Knox (27.3%) and Gary Payton II (25.0%) have also chipped in, hitting the occasional corner three despite their poor numbers.
As for Tier 5, it’s safe to say you won’t see Kevon Looney, Pat Spencer, or Trayce Jackson-Davis bombing away from deep any time soon. But that’s fine—their roles are all about screens, rebounds, and defensive grit.
Warriors Most Underrated
Tier 1 – Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody
Tier 2 – Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II
Tier 3 – Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, Kevon Looney, Quinten Post
Tier 4 – Buddy Hield, Gui Santos, Trayce Jackson-Davis
Tier 5 – Pat Spencer, Kevin Knox
When it comes to the Warriors’ most underrated players, the spotlight shines brightest on Tier 1’s Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Both young guns have been playing out of their minds this season, yet somehow, they aren’t getting nearly enough credit. Kuminga’s versatility has been a game-changer—averaging 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds while defending multiple positions with a newfound discipline.
His improved scoring has forced defenses to respect him beyond the arc, opening up driving lanes where he can bully opponents with his athleticism. Meanwhile, Moody has been the quiet assassin, posting 9.5 points per game on 38.3% shooting from three. The fact that both players are still seen as secondary pieces only highlights how deep this Warriors squad truly is.
Tier 2 brings a mix of veterans and youth. Draymond Green might never get his due-in-the-box score, but his defensive IQ and ability to orchestrate the offense remain unmatched. His willingness to do the dirty work—switching onto guards, boxing out centers, and directing traffic—often gets overshadowed by his lack of scoring.
Brandin Podziemski, on the other hand, has been a pleasant revelation. His feel for the game, coupled with his shooting and playmaking, has given the Warriors’ bench a real boost. Throw in Gary Payton II, who continues to be a menace defensively, and you have a trio that epitomizes the underrated backbone of this team.
Tier 3 might raise some eyebrows, but there’s a case to be made that even Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III are underrated in certain respects. With all the talk about their scoring, people often overlook Steph’s leadership and Butler’s ability to facilitate and get to the line consistently. Because they are superstar names, they often get their just due and are not considered underrated by most.
However, Kevon Looney is also underrated—his screens, offensive rebounding, and defensive positioning are crucial to the Warriors’ success, even if they don’t make the highlight reels. Quinten Post is nailing an impressive 42.9% from deep, so he often gets ignored with bigger names on the roster.
In Tier 4, Buddy Hield headlines. Hield’s shooting gravity alone transforms the spacing for Curry and Butler, but more is expected of him considering his $9.0 million salary and veteran experience as a starter. Gui Santos and Trayce Jackson-Davis have also shown flashes of potential, but none of these players fly under the radar.
Tier 5 rounds things out with guys like Pat Spencer and Kevin Knox, who, despite limited minutes, have provided solid contributions. Knox’s length and occasional three-point shooting have been useful in spot duty, while Spencer’s energy and effort have made him a fan favorite.
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