Golden State Warriors preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

East:Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

West:Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets • LA Clippers • Los Angeles Lakers • Memphis Grizzlies • Minnesota Timberwolves • New Orleans Pelicans • Oklahoma City Thunder • Phoenix Suns • Portland Trail Blazers • Sacramento Kings • San Antonio Spurs • Utah Jazz

Record: 37-45 (10th in the West, lost in play-in tournament to Suns)

Draft: Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 11), Lajae Jones (No. 54)

Signings: Kristaps Porzingis (2 year, $40 million extension), Al Horford (re-signed for 2 years, $14 million), De'Anthony Melton (re-signed for 2 years, $11 million), Draymond Green (re-signed for 1 year, $27.7 million), Gary Payton II (re-signed for 1 year, $3.9 million), Georges Niang (1-year, $3.9 million)

Key departures:Pat Spencer (signed with Suns), Trayce Jackson-Davis (traded to Raptors), Quinten Post (signed with Grizzlies)

Current roster

What's exciting: Lendeborg looked like a natural fit for Golden State during NBA Summer League. As a big forward who can score from all over the floor, playmake, or cut off-ball, he brings ingredients that fit the DNA of Kerr's offense. His MVP performance in Las Vegas was an encouraging start and now we'll get to see what that versatility looks like next to Stephen Curry.

What's concerning: How much longer can the Warriors keep asking Curry to be Curry? He's 38 years old and surrounded by players with durability concerns. Draymond is 36, Horford is 40. Porziņġis has uncertain health. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody both could miss the entire season, and even if they return there's no guarantee they immediately resemble themselves. For a franchise that's supposedly trying to make the most of Curry's remaining years, it sure seems like the Warriors are just doing a bunch of nothing. — Kevin O'Connor 

Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27

Brandin Podziemski's usage in the preseason is up to 28% through two games; the breakout is coming. The Warriors did nothing to bolster the backcourt beyond Brandon Williams, so the runway is his. Al Horford will likely come off the bench, giving Gui Santos and Yaxel Ledenborg 12-team appeal. — Dan Titus

Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA season

Opening week: 10/21 at Lakers, 10/23 vs. Grizzlies, 10/24 at Suns

Complete schedule

39.5 — win total

+375 to win division

+6600 to win NBA Finals

Best case: Play-In Tournament*

If Curry's healthy, he's shown that he's still All-NBA good. Green can still defend at a high level, even if he can't quite hit his DPOY-level peaks as long. There's a foundation on both ends where, if you get enough contributions from the youngsters and versatile role pieces, they could churn out enough wins to stay in the play-in picture.

If they have Butler and Porziņģis back by the time the Play-In rolls around, they'd be a team much more dangerous than their 7-10 seeding would suggest.

Worst case: Outside of the Play-In Tournament

The core is good but aging. Another injury-riddled season — or even one where some understandable slippage from the vets happens (or continues) — could leave them on the outside looking in. — Nekias Duncan

Read the full Pacific Division preview