It’s almost unfathomable what the Golden State Warriors have become. The same Steph Curry-led Warriors that once defined greatness failed to even crack the playoffs in 2023-24—a stunning fall for a team that has long been synonymous with dominance. From the pinnacle of championship glory to a second-round exit, and now, the unthinkable: a No. 10 seed in the West. The Dubs have gone from dynasty to the depths, and their collapse couldn’t have been more bitter, especially with that gut-wrenching loss to Sacramento in the play-in game—a moment that surely wasn’t on Joe Lacob & Co.’s radar.

Now, the entire NBA is watching the Golden State Warriors with bated breath. What was once a powerhouse now looks like a fading echo of its former self. The sudden and sharp decline from perennial contenders to afterthoughts in the Western Conference is as shocking as it is heartbreaking. Once the unstoppable juggernauts of the league, the Warriors now feel like background players in a production where they once held center stage. The question everyone’s asking: Is the legacy of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and the once-untouchable Warriors fading into oblivion?

A coach told Heavy: “Moving Klay was big for them.” And it’s not hard to see why. Klay Thompson wasn’t just another player—he was a cornerstone, one of the defining pillars of this dynasty. His departure, fueled by a messy sign-and-trade saga, is emblematic of the Warriors’ recent missteps. From the ill-fated, expensive experiment with Kelly Oubre Jr. to the loss of Thompson, things have gone from bad to worse. With Thompson gone, the Warriors’ foundation is more fragile than ever, leaving the team in a precarious position.

The mystique surrounding this team—the dynasty that once terrified opponents—now feels like a distant memory. If the Warriors can’t right the ship soon, their legacy may forever be tainted, not by their incredible highs, but by the shocking lows of their fall from grace.

Moreover, the rumors suggest, that Klay Thompson had placed a $20M/year offer for two years before Joe Lacob, but they said “No.” Was this another Kelly Oubre Effect? For the past few seasons Thompson has been suffering due to his injuries, however, his role as the shooting guard of the Golden State Warriors has played major roles in trophy-winning seasons. Moreover, the Warriors will miss out on the magic of the lethal Splash brothers.

Back in 2022, the Celtics were a team in the making; meanwhile, the Dubs were the true beasts of the court. So of course, we know what the finals were like- mostly one-sided, in favor of the Warriors. However, things have changed- now the Celtics have taken the reigns while the latter struggles to hold onto its ground.

The Golden State Warriors is still looking for the big fish

One of the key problems with the Dubs is their front office. For a while now, the admins have displayed a degree of unprecedented confusion. Sometimes it’s with the management, and sometimes it’s with their trades. Has it been beneficial? No. A major chunk of responsibility falls on the stakeholders, Joe Lacob, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and others. An insider reported: “From the talks they’ve had — or tried to have — it sounds like they want to do something big.” But who? Now that, Klay Thompson is gone, Kevin Durant left long ago, who can fit in their shoes?

It looks like Joe Lacob & co. need to come up with lots of answers. Since 2009, the Golden State Warriors have focused all their developments on Steph Curry, and nothing much has changed. Despite, his immaculate skills, the team is falling short, all thanks to disastrous strategies. If the team truly wants to restart from where it left off, something big needs to happen, a build-up is a must. The insider also commented, “They keep acting like they’re trying to make some major changes, but I just don’t know if they will.” Everyone is doubtful about the Dubs, isn’t that disheartening already?

The Dubs dynasty needs to rebuild and not add bits and pieces just to stay relevant in the NBA. We know, it’s a sea of sharks and swimming ahead is going to be difficult. But, it is the Golden State Warriors we’re talking about, they’ve done wonders before. Just a better game plan for the future would go a long way. Most importantly, the front office must think about the days ahead when Curry and Green hang their boots. What about the team and the legacy then?