Stephen Curry (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
In the opinion of former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins, the Warriors have not done enough to center their roster on Steph Curry for the upcoming campaign. Golden State could not qualify for the playoffs after losing in the play-in tournament and placing tenth in the previous season’s rankings.

The Warriors were defeated by the LA Lakers in the conference semifinals a year ago. Perkins believes the Warriors’ roster-building strategies are oriented around simultaneously juggling two timelines. It is developing young players who are competing for a championship. Over the past two years, this has caused Curry to lose the “joy” of playing for the team.

Kendrick Perkins said, “You still have Steph Curry, a guy that wants to win, a guy that every single season, he wants to go out and win a championship. You can see the joy that he played with in the Olympics … Winning the gold medal. It was all over his face, the emotions. We haven’t seen that since they last won the championship. That’s going over two years now.”

While Perkins acknowledged that it’s critical to prepare for the future, he also stated that, with Curry, who will turn 36 this season, it’s crucial to focus on the present. The Warriors lost Klay Thompson to free agency, but this summer, they signed three of the best free-agent prospects: Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton, and Kyle Anderson.

That doesn’t, however, significantly alter their hopes for a title. In addition to Steph Curry, Golden State lacks depth at the center position and a reliable second-scoring option.

What Steph Curry Needs For A Successful Legacy With The Warriors?

Steph Curry is still among the greatest in the NBA, even though he is 36 years old and is likely nearing the end of his remarkable career. He has won four titles in the past ten years, more than any other player of his caliber. However, he is still driven to win more.

Curry has previously expressed his opinions about his future with the team, stating that he doesn’t want to be a part of a “bottom feeder.” Curry believes that the Warriors will prioritize their window of opportunity with him and turn things around. The summer roster changes, however, seem to indicate differently.

According to reports, Golden State lost out on trading for Lauri Markkanen. He was a significant trade target because it wouldn’t let go of sophomore guard Brandin Podziemski. It’s possible that Markkanen restored the Warriors’ status as a serious contender. However, Golden State persisted in holding onto and nurturing its younger players for the future.