Imagine you’re a GM at the trade table—swapping stars, shuffling rosters, clearing cap space—all to chase one goal: winning now. But fast forward a few months, and suddenly those headline trades are flopping in crunch time. But for Golden State, paper-perfect trades haven’t sparked playoff success.

The Warriors are crumbling under playoff pressure. Despite Jimmy Butler dropping 33 points, Golden State couldn’t close the deal in Game 3, losing 102-97 to the Timberwolves and falling behind 2-1 in the series. Costly late-game errors—turnovers, fouls, and missed shots—laid bare the flaws. And in the middle of the chaos, a former NBA player stepped in with a sharp perspective—one that cut straight to the root of what might be going wrong.

Jalen Rose didn’t mince words after the game 3 loss. He took to X and said, “Warriors trading Poole and missing on a few draft picks since they lost KD is killing them right now.” That comment hits a nerve, because it’s not just about one player or one game—it’s about the ripple effect that started the moment Kevin Durant left the Bay.

Jordan Poole was part of this post-Durant rebuild. Drafted 28th in 2019, he worked his way into the core and played a huge role in the Warriors’ 2022 title run. He even averaged a career-best 20.4 points over 82 games in 2022-23. But things changed in the playoffs. His minutes dropped, his defense became a concern, and his scoring fell off. So Golden State made the move: they swapped him for Chris Paul. Poole was an all-or-nothing gambit. Paul? A stabilizer. Less scoring, more control. Two different philosophies, but only one made the trip to the postseason this year.

The real unraveling dates to 2018, when Durant and Draymond Green’s on-court clash signaled a shift during a game against the Clippers. KD, already feeling the weight of fitting into a system built around Steph and Klay, saw that moment as confirmation: it was time to move on. His move to Brooklyn wasn’t just about basketball—it was about autonomy, about new energy, and about teaming up with Kyrie Irving, his friend. Since then, the Warriors have been trying to reassemble the dynasty, piece by piece. And as Rose points out, that’s still very much a work in progress.

The Warriors had been hoping to hold on to their 14th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but that didn’t pan out. Since they didn’t move up in the lottery, the pick officially goes to Portland. It’s a setback for sure—especially with that pick being their best trade asset—but not a total loss. They still hold a second-rounder this year, plus first-round picks in 2025 and 2026. And hey, it’s not like they haven’t struck gold late before. In 2023, they grabbed Trayce Jackson-Davis at No. 57, and he proved that he can contribute.

So, where do the Warriors really stand in the 2025 West Semifinals?

Golden State Warriors struggle to stay afloat

Golden State walked into Game 2 knowing it was going to be an uphill climb. Without Steph Curry, out with a hamstring strain, the Warriors looked flat and overwhelmed. The Timberwolves took full advantage, handing them a 117-93 beatdown at Target Center. But Steve Kerr wasn’t panicking. “Despite the loss, we learned a lot, the players learned a lot,” he told reporters the next day. For him, the lopsided loss came with silver linings—valuable tape to study and players stepping up in Curry’s absence.

That Game 2 loss saw Kerr dive deep into the rotation, playing 14 guys. Only Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski crossed the 30-minute mark. It opened the door for others—Jonathan Kuminga dropped 18 points, Trayce Jackson-Davis added 15—and Kerr saw enough promise to say, “We’ll have a concrete plan coming into tomorrow that we’ll feel good about.” The message was clear: adapt, adjust, and stay alive until Curry’s return.

And in Game 3, the Warriors showed fight. Butler put up a monster stat line—33 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists—while Kuminga caught fire off the bench with 30 points, six rebounds, and three 3-pointers. For a moment, it felt like they’d steal one. But late mistakes—turnovers, fouls, and a crucial sixth foul on Green with 4:38 left—opened the door for Minnesota. The Timberwolves pushed the lead to nine, and despite hot shooting from Buddy Hield and Kuminga late, Golden State couldn’t close, losing 102-97.

Minnesota’s stars showed up when it mattered. Anthony Edwards shook off a slow start to pour in 36 points, including 13 in the fourth with three big threes. Julius Randle chipped in a 24-10-12 triple-double, controlling the pace down the stretch. The Warriors, now down 2-1 in the series, have more questions than answers—but with Game 4 back at the Chase Center, they’ll need every ounce of Kerr’s “concrete plan” to keep their season alive.

Now the Warriors head into Game 4 with the pressure cranked up. The series sits on a razor’s edge, and Steve Kerr’s “concrete plan” will be put to the test. Can Jimmy Butler keep carrying the load? Will Kuminga continue his emergence? With championship DNA and a locker room full of questions, the Warriors’ next move could define their season.