The Golden State Warriors’ biggest mistake early in 2025 NBA free agency has been failing to act decisively in a rapidly shifting market, highlighted by the loss of Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans and their inaction on the surprising availability of Damian Lillard. The franchise let Looney, a three-time champion and ten-year veteran, walk on a modest two-year, $16 million deal, leaving an already thin frontcourt exposed. Meanwhile, they have yet to respond to the Milwaukee Bucks’ blunder of waiving Lillard, who despite his Achilles injury and projected season-long absence, represents an incredible long-term value proposition, particularly for a Warriors team eyeing one last championship push with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
The Bucks‘ decision to stretch Lillard’s $113 million contract — paying him $22 million annually over five years — opened the door for rival teams to swoop in with a minimal commitment for a future payoff. Golden State, with a core set to expire after the 2026-27 season, is one of the few franchises positioned to take on a long-view gamble. Lillard, an Oakland native and nine-time All-Star, has expressed admiration for Curry, Butler, and Green, making the Warriors a natural landing spot. With his salary covered by Milwaukee, Golden State could essentially rehab Lillard through the 2025-26 season and have a revitalized star at veteran minimum cost in 2026-27, perfectly timed to chase another title before the current core disbands.
Despite the clear strategic alignment, the Warriors have been silent. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has yet to make a move since free agency opened, even as reports circulate that multiple teams have already expressed interest in Lillard. This lack of urgency stands in stark contrast to the front office’s rhetoric about remaining competitive in the final years of Curry’s prime. It also comes after an underwhelming draft in which the Warriors traded down from the 41st overall pick and selected developmental prospects Alex Toohey and Will Richard in the late second round — players unlikely to contribute next season.
The team’s failure to address glaring roster needs is mounting. With Looney gone and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga’s future still unresolved, Golden State is exposed in the frontcourt and lacking size, shooting, and depth at center. The Warriors have tendered a $7.9 million qualifying offer to Kuminga, but are taking a wait-and-see approach to his market. Only the Brooklyn Nets currently have cap space to offer a deal north of $20 million, which means the Warriors could still retain him or pursue a sign-and-trade. However, this cautious strategy risks losing out on veteran free agents who could fill immediate needs, such as Brook Lopez, Bruce Brown, Malcolm Brogdon, or Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Mike Dunleavy has said the Warriors will be “in the mix” as the July trade market heats up, but Golden State can’t afford to wait while valuable targets come off the board. The early stages of free agency are when most competitive teams make their biggest moves, and the Warriors have not capitalized on any of them. The Looney departure was a blow not just for basketball reasons, but for culture and continuity — he was a locker-room anchor who knew the system inside and out. Whether the Warriors lowballed him or simply chose not to compete with New Orleans’ offer remains unclear, but the loss hurts a team already searching for identity beyond its aging stars.
Damian Lillard can help Warriors’ core compete beyond upcoming season
The Warriors reportedly are among the NBA teams who already have contacted soon-to-be free agent Damian Lillard. https://t.co/VGxlvNIAMK
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 2, 2025
Golden State’s hesitancy is especially frustrating given the limited window left for their current core. Curry, Butler, and Green are all under contract through 2026-27, and the organization’s posture suggests this is the final stretch of title contention before a rebuild. Any opportunity to maximize these next two seasons must be seized immediately. Inaction, or missteps like letting Looney walk without a replacement lined up, could have cascading effects by midseason — especially if Kuminga’s situation drags on or the team is unable to land a proven center in free agency or via trade.
While the Warriors are reportedly exploring the trade market, nothing has materialized. The franchise appears to be in limbo, trying to balance long-term development with short-term contention, but that middle ground could prove costly. A Lillard signing, even one that delays his debut until 2026, would represent a bold but smart investment. The optics alone — bringing an Oakland native home to join forces with Curry — would be a massive public relations win. More importantly, it would signal that Golden State is serious about remaining competitive even beyond the current core’s timeline.
Meanwhile, the Bucks’ controversial decision to waive Lillard reportedly upset Giannis Antetokounmpo, signaling potential internal friction in Milwaukee that the Warriors could’ve exploited had they acted swiftly. Instead, Golden State has let the moment pass, losing ground in the Western Conference arms race as other contenders aggressively reshape their rosters.
Unless Dunleavy and the front office make a decisive pivot in the coming days, the early stages of the 2025 offseason may be remembered not for a bold splash but for missed opportunities — letting a locker room leader walk, ignoring a discounted superstar in Lillard, and remaining passive while the team’s core ages. For a franchise that once defined bold moves and dynasty building, this tentative approach may ultimately prove to be their biggest mistake.
