As the Golden State Warriors navigate the 2025 NBA offseason, their focus remains on maximizing the championship window for their veteran core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
With Curry at 37 and Butler at 35, the Warriors face the challenge of an aging roster, a situation compounded by their limited draft capital following the blockbuster trade for Butler in February 2025.
Having sent their first-round pick (No. 20 overall) to the Miami Heat, Golden State enters the 2025 NBA Draft armed only with the No. 41 pick, acquired via the Heat in a multi-team deal.
Despite the late selection, the Warriors have an opportunity to address critical roster needs, particularly at the point guard position, as they aim to bolster depth behind their superstar backcourt.
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Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz recently highlighted the Warriors’ draft predicament, noting their need for immediate contributors rather than long-term projects.
“The Golden State Warriors have a few needs on what’s become an elderly team,” Swartz wrote.
“They sent their first-round pick to the Miami Heat in the Jimmy Butler deal and will only have the No. 41 overall pick at their disposal. Finding a new starting center to help preserve Draymond Green should be a priority this summer, although the Warriors won’t find one this late in the draft.”
“This team lacks a backup point guard behind Stephen Curry and should be eyeing older college players who can step in immediately to the back end of the rotation,” Swartz continued.
“West Virginia senior point guard Javon Small could be an option as he averaged 18.6 points and 5.6 assists this past season.”
Small’s ability to score efficiently and facilitate makes him an intriguing fit for Golden State’s motion offense, where quick decision-making and perimeter shooting are paramount.
Small’s college production suggests he could contribute immediately, a priority for a Warriors team in win-now mode. His 1.8 steals per game highlight his defensive tenacity, a trait that aligns with coach Steve Kerr’s emphasis on two-way play. While not an elite athlete, Small’s craftiness and high basketball IQ could help him carve out a role.
At No. 41, Small represents a low-risk, high-reward option for a team that has historically found gems late in the draft, like Draymond Green (No. 35 in 2012) and Quinten Post (No. 52 in 2024).
The Warriors’ draft strategy also reflects broader roster concerns. Preserving Green, who at 35 remains the defensive anchor, is critical, but Swartz notes that a starting center is unlikely at No. 41. Instead, targeting a guard like Small would allow Golden State to address depth while potentially exploring free agency or trades for frontcourt help.
General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has a knack for identifying late-draft steals, as evidenced by Post’s rotational minutes as a rookie. If Small is available at No. 41, he could be the latest coup, providing insurance behind Curry and injecting youth into an aging roster.
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