The Golden State Warriors are projected to become one of the NBA's bottom teams by 2030, according to The Sporting News' future NBA power rankings. The Warriors ranked 28th, with the Milwaukee Bucks 29th and the New Orleans Pelicans 30th.
The Warriors' current veteran core, including Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford, will have aged out by 2030. Curry will be 41 during the 2029-30 season and is not expected to remain on Golden State's roster.
What happened to the Warriors' dynasty?
The Warriors maximized one of the greatest dynasties in basketball history, but their current roster will have aged out by 2030. The team has protected its upcoming first-round selections, giving the franchise a chance to begin rebuilding through the draft.
The timing is problematic because the 2027 and 2028 draft classes are not expected to contain an abundance of franchise-changing talent. The Warriors received a C-minus asset grade and could be in the earliest stage of a rebuild by 2030.
Why it matters for the Warriors
The Warriors' future depends heavily on lottery luck and their ability to rebuild through the draft. The team's current roster, including Brandin Podziemski and Yaxel Lendeborg, will need to be supplemented with new talent in order to compete.
Last result: LA Clippers 115-110 Golden State Warriors (2026-04-13). The Warriors have lost their last 5 games, with a recent form of 0W-0D-5L.
What comes next for the Bucks and Pelicans?
The Bucks and Pelicans are also projected to become bottom teams by 2030. The Bucks received a D-plus asset grade and do not control a first-round pick capable of directly improving their roster until 2030.
The Pelicans landed last because their roster could be completely dismantled over the next three seasons. Zion Williamson can become a free agent in 2028, and the team's future depends heavily on lottery luck.
The Bucks' outlook is similarly discouraging, with the team still paying for their championship pursuit. The decisions made to chase another title alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo carried understandable logic, but the bill for those decisions eventually had to arrive.
How will the teams rebuild?
The Warriors, Bucks, and Pelicans will need to rebuild their rosters in order to compete. The Warriors have a chance to begin rebuilding through the draft, while the Bucks and Pelicans will need to rely on lottery luck and savvy front office moves.
The future of the NBA is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Warriors, Bucks, and Pelicans will need to rebuild in order to compete. With the right moves, these teams can return to contention, but it will take time and patience.
The Warriors, Bucks, and Pelicans are not the only teams facing uncertainty. The entire NBA is in a state of flux, with teams constantly rebuilding and retooling. But for these three teams, the future is particularly bleak.
As the NBA continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the Warriors, Bucks, and Pelicans adapt. Will they be able to rebuild and return to contention, or will they remain at the bottom of the league? Only time will tell.
