The Golden State Warriors are already looking years down the line, and their plans could involve the biggest names in basketball. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Golden State is prioritizing cap flexibility for the summer of 2027, when both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic could become available in free agency.
“They want to maintain maximum flexibility for that 2027 summer,” reported Amick. “The Warriors, who are well aware that Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Denver’s Nikola Jokic both have player options for the 2027-28 season, are hardly alone on this star-hunting front. High-profile teams like the Lakers and Clippers have sent similar signals in recent months.”
The Warriors are currently engaged in a standoff with Jonathan Kuminga, who is seeking a four-year, $120 million contract with a player option. The Warriors, meanwhile, have rejected a contract worth $75.2 million over three years with no player option. Their reluctance to concede Kuminga’s demands may come from more than just precaution.
If they keep their books open until the summer of 2027, it will allow them to pursue several big-name superstars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic. By that point, only two contracts remain on the books (Moody’s $13.4 million and Hield’s $10 million player option) will be off the payroll, and they’ll have as much as they can spend to lure two future Hall of Famers to play together.
While the Warriors won’t be the only team in the race for Giannis and Jokic, they make arguably the most attractive landing spot for the superstars. Even without Steph Curry or Draymond Green, they have a history of success and a legacy of greatness in the modern era of NBA basketball.
For Giannis, the opportunity to play in a bigger market on the West Coast presents an interesting contrast to his life in Milwaukee, where he plays for a Bucks team that is often overlooked in mainstream conversations. The same could be said for Jokic, who has yet to truly capitalize on his status as the best player in the game.
With neither star having made the Finals in several years, they could look at the Warriors as a clean slate and a chance to reset their title odds. If they teamed up together, it would form a new superteam in the West, akin to the height of the franchise’s glory days.
Of course, as it stands, this remains wishful thinking for the Warriors. While planning early will not hurt their odds, the best course of action is to focus on the season at hand and do everything they can to ensure that their current star (Steph Curry) has what he needs to make a respectable playoff run.
Whether you love or hate their approach, you can’t blame the Warriors for putting themselves in a position to strike when the time is right. 2027 may still be a few years away, but keeping the books clear could give them a shot at the future Hall of Famers and reshape the entire future of the franchise. While the priority is making the most of Steph’s remaining years, the Warriors are clearly setting the stage for something bigger.
