Exclusive: Stephen Curry’s dad Dell reveals what Warriors need to get over hump

Dell Curry believes the Golden State Warriors can return to being an elite team in the Western Conference next season with a healthy Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. He points to the team's strong performance after acquiring Butler midseason (23-7 record, including 16-2 when both Curry and Butler played) and their first-round playoff victory over Houston as evidence of their potential. However, they lost in the semifinals to Minnesota after Curry was injured.

Curry emphasizes that acquiring an "athletic big" player could be the final piece to elevate the Warriors, noting this is a league-wide need. He specifically mentions Jonathan Kuminga as a potential candidate to fill that role internally or as a valuable trade asset. The Warriors extended a $7.9 million qualifying offer to the restricted free agent Kuminga, who showed promise in the playoffs against Minnesota, but have also been exploring sign-and-trade deals involving him.

With the core of Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green all being at least 35 years old, Dell Curry stresses that the "window is closing" for the Warriors. He highlights the need for younger players to step up and for the team to make decisive roster moves now to contend in a stacked Western Conference featuring teams like the champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets.

Curry concludes that if Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green stay healthy, and the Warriors can add the right complementary pieces (including more shooting and potentially resolving the Kuminga situation to acquire needed talent like an athletic big), they will be right back among the top contenders in the West. He specifically believes having Butler go through a full training camp with the team will help them find their stride and be healthy for the playoffs, putting them firmly "in the mix" next season.