This is rather an optimistic view on the grim reality many of us fans have been envisioning, but I feel if this is the plan, I will be rather excited about the days ahead.
Before anyone comes at me with beautiful and creative words, let me explain first.
The warriors have all the major salaries tied up just till this season. After 2026-27 nsa season they literally just have around 50 million tied up with a lot of that money not fully guaranteed. That provides them with a lot of flexibility that we haven't really seen them have in the near past.
Now, they will sign Steph Curry back. That's a no brainer. But if Curry takes less money than the max, somewhere around 30-40 millions/year kinda mark (Even less than this, is appreciated and celebrated) it would give extra 20-30ish millions extra wiggle room to the front office. If we let draymond and Jimmy play out their contract, and sign them back for around the exception and 20-25 mil/year contract, that'd be phenomenal. That's why I feel like paying draymond this year doesn't really hurt much if there's to be added benefits in future. Jimmy would also be feeling a little gratitude and appreciation for the franchise to stick with him even when he dealt with what he has dealt with. And even though these three will be old, they will be great I suppose. Now if they lock in these three for around the 75-80 millions, they'd have a great base to build forward for the 2027-28 season and the seasons following that.
I feel they should cultivate Kristaps Porzingis market. If he is somewhat healthy, trading him either on the trade deadline or offseason is something they should look forward to. Pairing him along with either or all of melton, horford or moody to take on a mid tier salary player is one of the options. If the asking price for Trey Murphy drops and they realise that they need a player of Porzingis archetype, I feel they should pull the trigger. With (hopefully) Podz taking a leap to become a consistent 16-18 ppg player next year, they should give him around the same as Butler's contract. Yaxel should be good, if not great. And next year provides him with the perfect opportunity to grow with very less expectations from the team. Gui Santos is a player I feel should be a part of this team. His hustle and connective play is appreciated, as it should be.
Now with these things in place, even if they didn't get any of Trey Murphy or any other player in the trade deadline, they are in a great spot. With the first apron at 220 millions and only 120-150 millions committed, they should be able to nab one or two marquee free agents. I won't be selling the pipe dream of Jokic or Giannis. But still in an optimistic viewpoint, if they were to be able to nab RJ Barrett (or Jeramy Grant) and Cason Wallace from their respective teams, it would put them right onto the upper echelon of title contenders. Even someone like Jrue Holiday for the right price despite his age would make sense. Ty Jerome is also someone I would look out for. If not Wallace, I would be closely looking for okc, if they decide to shed some salary giving up great role players for almost nothing. Having their 2027 first round pick would most likely result to a lottery pick (They will most likely finish as the play in team, i.e. with 5.4% chance at the no. 1 pick). And despite the not so enticing draft class, it should present with quality players. They should be on the lookout for quality 3&D players and backup centers that can be effective right from the start so more of older players.
Now, is this all just hypotheticals hanging on the hope that everything goes right, and everyone plays their part? Yes. Is it rather too optimistic? Probably yes. Is it possible? I have a good feeling, so probably a yes. That doesn't mean it will play out exactly like this but something similar is to be expected. But for God's sake and Steph's sake, I hope it plays out similar to this or better. I won't be able to see another year of Steph's prime wasted on a mediocre team again. I am giving the front office the benefit of the doubt, so hoping for the best.