Gary Payton II has long been one of Steve Kerr’s most trusted role players, but a potential pursuit of Jaylen Brown could force the Warriors to make difficult decisions on players who helped define their championship core. As Golden State evaluates Payton and two other free agents, roster continuity may become the cost of chasing another star alongside Stephen Curry.

Before pursuing any major addition, the Warriors must address three expiring contracts on their own roster. Gary Payton II, De’Anthony Melton, and Pat Spencer are all headed for free agency, forcing Golden State to decide how much of its backcourt depth it wants to retain before making its next move.

Resolving these mid-tier roster spots has become a priority, given the rumored desperation in the Bay to get Jaylen Brown. Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus outlines a path that could make room for JB in Golden State.

Under the NBA’s new second-apron rules, teams above the luxury-tax threshold face major roster-building restrictions, making low-cost depth signings increasingly valuable for contenders like the Warriors.

According to Pincus, GPII, who earned $3.3 million last season, is highly likely to return on a team-friendly veteran’s minimum deal. Similarly, guard De’Anthony Melton might opt out of his $3.5 million player option to test the market.

He could stay if he gets an offer as high as $4.2 million. Meanwhile, 30-year-old former lacrosse star Pat Spencer, who became a reliable microwave scorer averaging 7.2 points over 66 games, projects as a cheap six-figure option to round out the backcourt.

That approach would mirror the Warriors’ recent roster strategy under Mike Dunleavy Jr., who has prioritized maintaining flexibility around Curry while avoiding the harsher penalties tied to the second apron.

They present the viability to clear enough cap space for Brown. But that depends on how badly the Dubs want him.

The Warriors might take a cautious approach with Stephen Curry’s window

While we can cook up complex multi-team trade packages in our fantasies all day long, any trade involving Jaylen Brown to the Warriors will depend on the real-life decisions of Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler. Given the uncertainty around them, top league insiders are pouring cold water on a superstar acquisition.

Speaking on The Ryen Russillo Podcast, ESPN’s Anthony Slater revealed that the Warriors’ front office is moving from the ambitious ‘Two Timelines’ plan to a much more conservative timeline.

“I sense a decreased level of thirst from [the Warriors] to make a monster move,” Slater reported.

“They’re just kind of trying to guide out the Steph Curry era while protecting the future, and I believe using the 11th pick.”

Head coach Steve Kerr, who recently finalized a two-year contract extension, also recently expressed how much the team is banking on their number 11 pick in the 2026 NBA draft. According to Kerr, the injuries to Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler mean the incoming No. 11 overall draft pick will be expected to step into a plug-and-play role immediately.

Pursuing a player of Brown’s caliber would require sacrificing that lottery pick alongside prized young assets like Brandin Podziemski. That’s a gamble the Warriors are unwilling to make. Instead, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. is focused on internal restructuring.

The team is waiting on a massive financial domino: Draymond Green’s $27.7 million player option, with the front office reportedly hoping he will opt out to structure a cheaper, fade into the sunset kind of deal.

That financial caution reflects a broader league-wide shift as teams try to avoid the restrictive second apron penalties that have already forced contenders like Boston to reconsider expensive championship cores.

There’s also a strong possibility the team cuts ties with injury-prone big men Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. The Warriors have dealt with too many major injuries and have to keep an eye on Steph Curry’s knee. They might want fewer injured variables to consider.

By shelving the aggressive pursuit of outside superstars, re-signing trusted, low-cost depth pieces like Payton, Melton, and Spencer, and looking toward the 2026 draft, the Warriors might be pursuing a more sustainable plan.