The Golden State Warriors have been placed outside the NBA's top 20 in a prominent preseason power ranking, landing at a sobering 22nd overall. The assessment labels the veteran squad as 'Sad Play-In Hopefuls,' pointing to age and recent performance as major concerns for the 2026-27 campaign.
The ranking offers a pessimistic view of the team's immediate future. Analyst Michael Pina wrote there is 'pretty much no logical reason to feel optimistic about these Warriors.' He highlighted the advanced ages of core veterans, noting Draymond Green is 36, while offseason addition Al Horford is我们发现 40. The analysis suggests consistent health for this group is a tall order in the tough Western Conference.
Beyond the aging roster, the ranking reflects the team's disappointing finish to last season. The Warriors missed the playoffs after a 37-45 record and a play-in tournament loss.
The Warriors find themselves in a specific tier with the Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans. Other Western Conference teams like the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz are also ranked ahead of Golden State, though still outside the league's top 15. This positioning shows a perceived gap between the Warriors and the conference's elite contenders.
Offseason moves have been modest. The team added rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and veterans Georges Niang and Brandon Williams, but the core remains largely unchanged from last year's group. Also, the Warriors will begin the season without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, who are rehabbing knee injuries that ended their previous campaigns.
The verified results from the end of last season paint a clear picture of struggle.
Their final two games were losses to Pacific Division rivals. They fell 124 118 to the Kings on April 11 before closing the season with that 115 110 loss to the Clippers. You can review the full schedule and results on our schedule page.
The ranking's commentary isn't entirely without hope. It acknowledges that when healthy, this group can still 'execute a gorgeous brand of basketball' and compete on pride alone. The presence of Stephen Curry ensures a high offensive ceiling on any given night. The season will test whether the veteran core's chemistry and intelligence can overcome the physical challenges noted by analysts.
Success likely hinges on health management and whether the younger players and new additions can provide reliable support. The low external ranking sets a clear underdog narrative for the Warriors as training camp opens, a role this core has used as motivation before. How they respond will define their season.
