The Athletic NBA Daily — “Is this the Warriors’ Last Shot at a Title?”

Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Dave DuFour & Marcus Thompson
Main Theme:
A thorough, entertaining preview of the 2025-26 Golden State Warriors — their off-season moves, shifting dynamics, and whether this season represents the true “Last Dance” for a storied but aging core.

Episode Overview

Marcus Thompson joins to break down a pivotal Warriors season, discussing whether it’s the team’s last realistic shot at a title. The conversation explores the state of the franchise, offseason roster changes (Al Horford arrival, Jonathan Kuminga extension), and who holds the key to swinging the Warriors’ fate amid an aging core. The hosts keep the tone lively by weaving in running analogies, media day highlights, and playful banter about the “uncle energy” on the roster.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tonal Shift: An Uncharacteristically Quiet Offseason

• [01:20-03:42]
  • Marcus reflects on a surprisingly dull media day, with few headlines or controversies, contrary to the Warriors’ usual drama-filled reputation.

    “This was like the team that is most dramatic and most like soap opera-ish, deciding to say no headlines today. And it was kind of boring.” — Marcus Thompson [02:22]

  • The hosts agree this “calm” is likely strategic after several years of turmoil.
  • Steph Curry’s comments highlight the uniqueness of their situation as a winning team still holding elite talent together.

2. Offseason Moves & Roster Makeup

• [04:28-11:02]
  • Biggest Changes:
    • Jonathan Kuminga’s extension (two years, $48M, team option on Year 2)
    • Al Horford joins on a two-year deal, spurning retirement and Boston for a final run (“the only reason he wanted to leave Boston was for the Warriors” — Marcus Thompson [06:44])
    • Notable veteran presence: Seth Curry, D’Anthony Melton (recovering from ACL), Gary Payton II; younger contributors: Quentin Post and others.
  • Al Horford’s Impact:
    • Massive addition for floor-spacing, defense, and conserving Draymond Green’s energy.
    • “They need somebody to spare Draymond… Every minute they could get away with Draymond not playing center, not guarding centers, that’s so massive for them.” — Marcus Thompson [08:21]
    • Horford’s shooting and experience allow new lineup flexibility, letting the Warriors play “five out” with actual size for the first time in years.
  • The roster’s “uncle energy” is joked about (“lots of uncles, red cups, cognac” [06:15]), referencing the influx of veteran leadership on both the Warriors and Clippers.

3. Young Player Development & Role Shifts

• [11:02-19:23]
  • Who Takes a Step Forward?
    • Brandon Pajemski (“Pods”) is highlighted for a breakout year:

      “Pods had a rough start … came back and looks really good with Jimmy. They need another ball handler on the court… trusting his drives and finishing.” — Marcus Thompson [13:02]

    • Due to Melton’s injury, Pajemski will see an increased role early on.
      • Pods is in a contract year, adding extra motivation.
      • The hosts note his focused, no-nonsense media day demeanor:

        “His media day interview? One word answers … he is locked in.” — Host [15:09]

    • Moses Moody is also pegged for a leap, especially defensively (noted for picking “the pockets of Jalen Brunson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander” [20:45]), with improved shooting a focus.
  • Who Takes a Step Back?
    • Buddy Hield, whose defensive limitations and inconsistent shooting may drop him down the pecking order with Horford and Melton healthy.
    • The pressure is on Hield to maintain his offensive output to stay on the floor:

      “I think Buddy might have to get comfortable with them not needing his shooting so much… Steve Kerr, when given the choice, is going to go defense.” — Marcus Thompson [18:50]

4. Leadership & Superstar Expectations

• [20:45-27:43]
  • Focus on the “big three” (Steph, Draymond, and new addition Jimmy Butler).
    • Media day anecdotes: players, especially younger ones, emphasize team-building trips (e.g., Jimmy hosting at his San Diego house).
    • Jimmy Butler’s Role:
      • Expected to be a true secondary superstar — can both relieve Curry and lead when needed.
      • Stepping up as a locker-room and on-court leader (“There is another superstar here. That, to me, was metaphoric for how this season is going to go.” — Marcus Thompson [25:42])
    • Steph & Jimmy’s Health Management:
      • They must be “elite, but also chill out” — balance top production with careful rest to avoid burnout.

        “You cannot be getting to March with your light on… you need to stop at the gas station.” — Marcus Thompson [23:15]

      • Emphasize team culture, conditioning, and leadership (“These are two of the best-conditioned players in the league.” – Host [23:11])

5. Biggest Swing Factor: Jonathan Kuminga

• [28:24-32:44]
  • Kuminga’s new contract signals long-term investment, but also the potential for a mid-season trade.
    • Will he finally embrace a featured role, especially when the “uncles” rest?

      “There needs to be stretches where (the vets) are out. There’s nobody more suited to say, all right, Dolphins running through you tonight, than Jonathan Kuminga.” — Marcus Thompson [29:31] “If he just gets 30 minutes, he’s gonna do the thing he does…he’s probably one of the best at drawing fouls outside of Jimmy Butler.” [30:04]

    • He is expected to “mind the grill” (lead the second unit) whenever given opportunity, preserving older stars.
    • The risk: if Kuminga can’t seize the moment, or is traded, the Warriors lack a dynamic bridge to the future.
  • Honorable Mention: Draymond Green
    • Can he stay aggressive offensively, or does passivity hurt spacing and rhythm?
    • “That Draymond who’s getting downhill, who’s attacking, it’s a game changer…If he’s passive…it just messes everything up.” — Marcus Thompson [34:04]

6. Realistic Season Outcomes

• [35:10-37:41]
  • Expectations are wide-ranging due to age and health volatility:
    • Best-case: “They could make the West finals. If they make a trade, maybe even further.” — Marcus Thompson [36:20]
    • Worst-case: “If age catches up…they end up a play-in team that flames out and loses to some young upstart.” [36:22]
  • The hosts agree the Warriors’ run hinges heavily on health and how well the new and old pieces fit together.
    • Referencing the All-Star Game and the Clippers: “The old heads, they know how to win.” — Host [36:45]
    • But the margin is razor-thin: “That’s always a massive ‘if’ when you start…We saw what happened one injury, Warriors were done.” — Marcus Thompson [36:54]

Notable Quotes

• “I like messy Warriors. I like stuff.” — Marcus Thompson [03:59]
• “Draymond Green is one of the greatest centers in Warriors history, and he’s not a center.” — Marcus Thompson [08:21]
• “Pods is in a contract year…he ain’t about playing no backseat.” — Marcus Thompson [14:28]
• “It’s like the Warriors and Clippers are trying to have an ‘unc off’ — lots of wisdom in the room for both these teams.” — Host [05:22]
• “If he can’t do that, that hurts…Who takes over the offense when those guys sit?” — Marcus Thompson, on Kuminga’s importance [31:49]

Key Timestamps

• 01:20 — Warriors’ calm media day, origins of new team tone
• 06:30 — Al Horford’s signing, impact on frontcourt and Draymond’s role
• 11:02 — Young players who must now step up: Pajemski, Moody
• 16:50 — The case for Hield taking a step back; the value of defensive options
• 20:45 — Defensive leaps by Moody; the importance of versatile young contributors
• 23:06 — Managing expectations and minutes for Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler
• 28:24 — Kuminga as the season’s biggest swing factor
• 32:44 — Team option in Kuminga’s deal; could be on the trade block
• 34:15 — Draymond’s mindset, offense as a “game changer”
• 35:10 — Realistic season outcomes: finals run vs. play-in disaster

Memorable Moments

• Media day “no headlines zone” — Marcus and the host joking about missing the “messy” Warriors era [03:59].
• “Uncle energy”: comparing the roster to a cookout, with the old heads running the grill, and the young guys hoping to take over [10:10, 31:59].
• Kuminga’s “audition season” for both more responsibility and possible trade showcases [30:00-32:44].
• “If Steph makes two threes, the energy is different… when Draymond’s on, it’s a different level unlocked.” — Host [34:15]

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive, witty, and insightful breakdown of the 2025-26 Warriors. The team is at a crossroads: reliable but aging superstars, young players ready (or needing) to step up, and a newly added future Hall of Famer looking to fill crucial gaps. The consensus: If the “uncle club” can stay healthy and the young core (especially Kuminga and Pajemski) capitalizes, another deep run is possible — but the line separating “title contender” from “first-round casualty” has never been thinner for Golden State.