Warriors’ Slow Start Raises Urgency for Frontcourt Upgrade

The Golden State Warriors have opened the 2025–26 campaign with more questions than answers, settling into a modest 9–7 record after a road loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night. While the team has received steady play from Stephen Curry and the recently acquired Jimmy Butler, consistency across the rest of the roster remains elusive. Nowhere is that more evident than in the production they’ve gotten from veteran big man Al Horford.

Signed late in the offseason to provide stability and experience in the frontcourt, Horford arrived in the Bay Area with expectations of becoming one of the most reliable bigs of the Warriors’ dynastic era. Instead, his start has been defined by sharp regression on both ends of the floor. His scoring, efficiency, and overall impact have dipped far below what he provided during his recent stretch with the Boston Celtics.

Those struggles have complicated the Warriors’ plan to balance a star-driven roster with dependable role pieces. Horford’s early performance has forced the front office to reexamine its depth and explore solutions that may require more dramatic moves than initially anticipated.

With the season still young but the issues already pronounced, Golden State faces a decision point on whether to seek another frontcourt option before the hole becomes too deep to ignore.

1. Horford’s Slow Start Creates an Immediate Problem

Horford’s numbers reflect the severity of the issue. Through the first month of the season, he is averaging just 5.7 points per game while shooting 33.8 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from three — steep drops for a player once valued for efficiency and floor spacing. His struggles have limited Golden State’s ability to space the floor and maintain the offensive flow that typically defines its identity. The Warriors had hoped Horford’s experience would offset his age, especially at a position where decision-making and positioning often matter more than athleticism. Instead, his diminished physicality and shooting inconsistency have been difficult to overcome. Opponents have shown little hesitation in helping off him, shrinking the court for Curry and Butler and slowing the team’s ball movement. Coaches maintain that Horford’s professionalism and understanding of the system offer room for improvement, but the team’s margin for patience is shrinking. With Golden State hovering just above .500, concerns are growing that the clock may be ticking on how long they can wait for him to find his rhythm. In the broader context of the roster, Horford’s performance has shifted the Warriors from viewing center as a complementary need to a position requiring immediate attention.

2. Big-Name Trade Options Linger — But With Caveats

Around the league, several notable frontcourt stars have surfaced in rumors, most prominently Zion Williamson of the Pelicans and Anthony Davis of the Mavericks. Both are currently sidelined with injuries, complicating potential trade timelines but not eliminating them from speculation. For the Warriors, adding such a marquee name would dramatically reshape their season outlook — but would come at a hefty cost. Golden State’s internal politics have also shaped the trade landscape. Reports recently indicated that Draymond Green rejected a proposed deal to acquire Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, signaling that not all high-profile options are universally supported within the organization. Given Green’s influence, the front office may need to navigate internal dynamics as carefully as external negotiations. Even if the Warriors were to pursue a major deal, the financial and roster implications would be significant. Golden State remains heavily invested in its core, and adding a star big man would require deep consideration of long-term cap flexibility and future draft capital. For now, the possibility of a blockbuster move remains alive — if not particularly imminent.

3. More Realistic Options Offer Lower Risk, Faster Fit

If the Warriors opt for a more pragmatic approach, several mid-tier centers could provide a quicker and more attainable upgrade. Brooklyn Nets big man Nic Claxton has quietly built a strong statistical season despite the team’s overall struggles, offering shot-blocking, switchability, and athleticism that would mesh well with Golden State’s style. Portland’s Robert Williams III stands as another intriguing possibility. Though injuries have hindered his development, his defensive versatility and rim protection could fill an immediate need. Portland’s crowded center rotation may create traction for a deal, especially if the Warriors are willing to part with moderate assets. These targets would require far less disruption than a superstar trade and could stabilize Golden State’s rotation with minimal long-term risk. They also represent the type of move the franchise has typically favored during the later stages of its championship window. Whatever the approach, the organizational calculus is clear: a change at center appears less like a luxury and more like a necessity.