The Golden State Warriors’ Future Draft Picks: Full List And The $500 Million Trade Dilemma
As of December 19, 2025, the Golden State Warriors are navigating one of the most complex periods in their modern history, a delicate balance between maximizing the final years of the Stephen Curry championship window and securing a viable future. The key to this high-wire act is their cache of future draft picks, which represent both their greatest trade asset and their only path to a post-Curry retool. The decisions made by General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. regarding these picks—especially the crucial 2026 and 2028 first-rounders—will define the franchise for the next decade.
The Warriors' draft capital is not just a collection of picks; it is the currency they must spend wisely. Every unprotected pick they hold is a potential star, either acquired via trade or drafted directly. The front office faces an immediate, high-stakes choice: push all the chips in for a major 'win-now' trade or hold onto the assets to ensure a soft landing when the dynasty inevitably concludes. The entire NBA is watching to see how Golden State manages this colossal strategic dilemma.
Golden State Warriors Future Draft Capital: The Complete List
The Warriors have been active in the trade market, leading to a complex web of incoming and outgoing draft selections. Understanding the protections and swaps is crucial, as the value of these picks fluctuates wildly based on the team's standing in the Western Conference. The most valuable assets are the unprotected first-round picks, which are highly coveted by rebuilding teams across the league.
Warriors Future First-Round Picks (Own & Outgoing)
- 2026 First Round Pick: Own Pick (Unprotected). This pick is the most valuable immediate asset the team possesses and is the centerpiece of most major trade rumors.
- 2027 First Round Pick: Own Pick (Unprotected).
- 2028 First Round Pick: Own Pick (Unprotected). This pick, along with the 2026 selection, provides the necessary draft equity for a blockbuster star trade.
- 2029 First Round Pick: Own Pick (Available for trade).
- 2030 First Round Pick: To Washington Wizards (Protected 1-20). This pick was part of the Chris Paul trade. If it falls within the Top 20, it converts to a 2031 and 2032 second-round pick.
- 2032 First Round Pick: Own Pick (Available for trade).
- Traded 2025 First Round Pick: The Warriors do not own their 2025 first-round pick, as it was sent to the Miami Heat as part of a previous trade.
Warriors Future Second-Round Picks (Incoming & Outgoing)
While second-round picks are often seen as minor assets, the Warriors have a history of finding gems in the second round, making these selections important for developing low-cost role players and managing a high luxury tax bill.
- 2026 Second Round Pick: Outgoing. The pick is the more favorable of the Warriors' and Denver's to Charlotte, with the less favorable going to Minnesota.
- 2026 Second Round Pick: Incoming. From Atlanta (via Brooklyn).
- 2027 Second Round Pick: Outgoing. To Philadelphia or Washington (via Washington).
- 2028 Second Round Pick: Outgoing. To Philadelphia (via Portland).
- 2031 Second Round Pick: Incoming. The less favorable of the Warriors' and Detroit's.
The Strategic Dilemma: Win-Now vs. The Post-Curry Future
The value of the 2026 and 2028 unprotected first-round picks is amplified by the uncertainty surrounding Stephen Curry's final years. Curry, arguably the most important player in franchise history, is approaching the end of his prime, forcing the front office to weigh two monumental, mutually exclusive paths. General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has acknowledged the need for both patience and a clear plan, but the pressure to win another title for the "Core Three" remains immense.
The "All-In" Trade Scenario
The most discussed scenario involves packaging the 2026 and 2028 unprotected first-round picks, along with young, high-upside players like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski, to acquire an established superstar. This move would be a clear, aggressive commitment to a final championship push with Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: The dream target. Rumors have linked the Warriors to a colossal trade package for the Bucks star, which would require multiple unprotected firsts (2026, 2028, 2032) and all available young talent. This move would instantly vault Golden State back into title contention.
- High-Value Role Players: More realistic targets include versatile wings like Trey Murphy III (New Orleans Pelicans) or defensive-minded players like Herb Jones, who could address the team's needs for size and perimeter defense. These trades would likely cost one first-round pick and a combination of young players.
The Calculated Retool and Rebuild Strategy
The alternative strategy is to hold onto the 2026 and 2028 picks. These selections are currently projected to be late first-rounders if the Warriors remain a playoff contender. However, if the dynasty suddenly collapses—a real possibility given the age of the core—those picks could become lottery selections, providing the franchise with the necessary capital for a rapid, post-Curry rebuild. The fear is that trading away these picks now could lead to years of mediocrity once Curry retires.
By retaining their draft capital, the Warriors can focus on developing their current young core, including Kuminga and Podziemski, and using their second-round picks to find low-cost contributors. This approach would prioritize the long-term health of the franchise over a high-risk, short-term title chase.
The Hidden Value of the 2026 and 2028 Unprotected Picks
The designation of "unprotected" is what makes the 2026 and 2028 first-round picks so incredibly valuable to other teams. An unprotected pick means the receiving team gets the pick regardless of where the Warriors finish in the standings. Given the age of the Warriors' core—Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and veteran players—there is a non-zero chance that one or both of these picks could land in the top five if the team were to enter a sudden, steep decline due to injury or retirement.
For a rebuilding team, acquiring a potential Top-5 pick in 2026 or 2028 is a franchise-altering asset, giving the Warriors significant leverage in trade negotiations. This hidden, high-risk, high-reward value is why they are the most powerful trade chips in the organization's possession. The team that acquires these picks is essentially betting on the end of the Golden State dynasty.
Ultimately, the Warriors' future draft picks are a ticking clock. As Stephen Curry’s contract nears its end, the value of those picks for a "win-now" trade decreases, while their value for a "rebuild" increases. GM Mike Dunleavy Jr.'s decision on whether to trade them for a superstar or hold them for the future will be the defining move of his tenure, shaping the next era of the Golden State Warriors.
Detail Author:
- Name : Geovanny Herzog MD
- Username : gutkowski.dalton
- Email : ashlynn.champlin@gmail.com
- Birthdate : 1982-09-10
- Address : 85671 Dibbert Garden Delphiaview, HI 76563-4076
- Phone : 678.234.9424
- Company : Monahan PLC
- Job : Network Systems Analyst
- Bio : Cupiditate recusandae autem expedita ipsam. Atque architecto vitae omnis rerum doloribus voluptas consequuntur qui. Excepturi nemo dolorem quas autem.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/alex_id
- username : alex_id
- bio : Est aut tenetur omnis recusandae ut delectus. Sed nisi impedit hic autem vero velit.
- followers : 443
- following : 1218
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/alex.white
- username : alex.white
- bio : Sit distinctio harum et. Provident dicta qui sunt magnam consequuntur eius nam.
- followers : 4686
- following : 1359
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/alex.white
- username : alex.white
- bio : Voluptas ipsum earum fuga velit.
- followers : 501
- following : 375
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/alex_white
- username : alex_white
- bio : Itaque nulla suscipit quo eius nostrum. Quo minima asperiores omnis rerum. Error esse quod blanditiis assumenda consectetur sapiente.
- followers : 1853
- following : 2327
