Steve Kerr echoes Draymond Green and Stephen Curry on the trade that mortgages the Warriors’ future

The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a crossroads as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches. Head coach Steve Kerr expressed caution about sacrificing the franchise’s future for short-term success, stressing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the organization while navigating the current season.

In an interview with The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, Kerr admitted team struggles after a strong 12-3 start. The The Warriors now sit at 19-20, holding the 12th seed in the Western Conference. Reflecting on potential trade scenarios, Kerr highlighted the challenges of balancing current competitiveness with long-term stability.

“That’s the hardest part about dealing with all these things,” Kerr said. “We are not giving in.” But you have to be realistic organizationally about where you are. And you must keep in mind what awaits you in the future. I probably won’t be there, but I would tell you, if this organization gave the next six or seven drafts a wild swing, that would be the most irresponsible thing they could do.

Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry balance stress as the Warriors move cautiously on the trade market

So far, the Warriors’ trade activity has been minimal. In mid-December, they acquired guard Dennis Schroeder and a second-round draft pick from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for De’Anthony Melton, Rhys Beekman and multiple second-round picks. While it is The Warriors have shown interest in players like Jimmy ButlerNikola Vucevic and Jonas Valančunas, the team remains reluctant to include young talents such as Jonathan Kuminga in trade negotiations.

Kerr worked out the organization’s approach, trusting general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. to navigate these complexities.

“This is a tricky place,” Kerr said. “Mike is incredibly sharp. We have a great organization. I have no doubt that Mike will manage, and I will help as much as I can. We have to try to give Steph every chance to perform. That’s really important in the last few years, whatever that means. But you don’t give away the future.”

Stephen Curry, at 36 years old, remains the cornerstone of the franchise. Fresh off the gold medal race at the Paris Olympics, Curry signed a $62.6 million contract extension in the offseason. He is averaging 22.7 points, 6.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game this season, shooting 44.8% from the field and 41% from three. Curry echoed Kerr’s sentiments about the importance of preserving the team’s future.

“There’s a responsibility to keep the franchise in a good space (long term),” Curry told The Athletic. “If there was a situation that made sense for our team, I’m pretty sure we would have known about it.” That’s how we’ve always acted.”

Draymond Green laments the potential risks, echoing Kerr’s caution about preserving the Dubs’ future

Draymond Green also weighed instrengthening the collective mindset of the Warrior leadership.

“The nice thing about being in the space we’re in is that Steve Kerr, Steph Curry and I all disagree with mortgaging the future of this organization, saying let’s go for it right now.” Bad teams do that. Bad organizations do that. “We’re neither,” Green said.

He added: “If something is going to happen, it has to be the right thing.” We’re not going to jump in and make the wrong decision because we panicked. That’s how you set your organization back five to seven years.”

Kerr pointed out that the league’s landscape includes several dominant teams, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers (33-5), Oklahoma City Thunder (32-6), Boston Celtics (28-11) and Houston Rockets (26-12), all of whom run their own conferences.

“If you look around the league, there are four or five teams that are really a cut above everyone else,” Kerr said. “We’re in the pack (below that). So I think we can do better internally whether we make a step or not. I watched it. I watched us start the season as a really elite two-way team. I know it’s in us.”

As the Warriors go through a challenging season, Kerr remains steadfast in his commitment to the organization’s values.

“I think it’s really important these last few years that we behave with dignity and competition and fight for everything,” Kerr said. “Let’s maintain the integrity of the operation.” I think everyone is on board with that and on board with that.”

With the trade deadline approaching, the Golden State Warriors must balance short-term aspirations with the long-term health of the franchise — a task Kerr and team leaders are determined to approach with caution.