3 Trades the Warriors Should Consider to Win the 2026 NBA Championship with Stephen Curry

3 Trades the Warriors Should Consider to Win the 2026 NBA Championship with Stephen Curry

The Golden State Warriors made their championship intentions clear when they traded for Jimmy Butler in February. With Butler in the lineup, the Warriors played at a pace equivalent to a 63-win team, proving they still had the potential to contend.

But injuries derailed their postseason ambitions. Stephen Curry suffered a hamstring issue, and Butler was limited by a hip injury during their second-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the disappointment, the aggressive move for Butler showed the Warriors are all-in on maximizing Curry’s remaining prime years.

With time running out, Golden State needs to double down and construct a roster built for one final championship push. Here are three trade ideas that could help get them back on top in 2026:

1. Moving Jonathan Kuminga for Cam Johnson

Proposed Trade:

• Warriors receive: Cam Johnson
• Nets receive: Jonathan Kuminga, 2028 first-round pick (Golden State)

Jonathan Kuminga has shown flashes of brilliance, especially when thrust into a larger role during Curry’s absence in the playoffs. His shot creation and athleticism were invaluable, but his fit within Golden State’s system continues to be a concern.

Steve Kerr has struggled to integrate Kuminga’s ball-dominant tendencies into an offense that thrives on movement and spacing. While Kuminga’s upside is significant, he doesn’t align naturally with the core trio of Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green.

Cam Johnson, on the other hand, offers a cleaner fit. One of the league’s premier catch-and-shoot threats, Johnson hit 39 percent of his three-point attempts on high volume this season. At 6’8″, he brings positional size, floor spacing, and underrated defensive versatility.

His ability to shoot off movement and attack closeouts fits seamlessly into Golden State’s scheme. Johnson is also signed through the 2026–27 season on a reasonable deal, giving the Warriors cost control and consistency in a critical role.

This trade would require the Warriors to part with a first-round pick to entice Brooklyn, especially since Kuminga could be signed outright in free agency. But if Golden State is serious about surrounding Curry with the best possible roster, it may be a necessary sacrifice.