The Golden State Warriors enter next week’s NBA Draft facing one of the most important decisions of general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.’s tenure. Armed with the No. 11 pick, does the front office keep the selection and add a young talent, or use it in a trade to either move around the draft board or acquire an established veteran?
If our latest SB Nation Reacts survey is any indication, Warriors fans have already made up their minds. According to the poll, 72% of fans believe Golden State should keep
the No. 11 overall pick rather than use it in a trade.
It’s easy to understand why fans feel this way. The Warriors are coming off a disappointing 37-45 season and enter next year with more questions on their roster than answers. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are both expected to miss a big portion of the season after suffering significant leg injuries, while Stephen Curry and Draymond Green continue to battle Father Time as they approach their age-39 and age-37 seasons, respectively.
The aging roster and questions about the team’s overall talent level have also been reflected in the betting markets. FanDuel Sportsbook currently gives the Warriors +8000 odds to win the 2026-27 NBA championship, placing them well outside the league’s group of true contenders.
With those long odds, it makes sense why many fans appear to prefer a more measured approach. The No. 11 pick gives the Warriors an opportunity to add an inexpensive young player to a roster that badly needs an injection of youth, athleticism, and long-term upside. In a draft class widely regarded as one of the deepest in recent years, holding onto the selection may ultimately prove more valuable than chasing another short-term move.
Whether the front office agrees with its fanbase remains to be seen. But if the poll is any indication, Warriors fans would prefer to see Golden State use this year’s draft to strengthen both its present and its future.
