The Golden State Warriors are in a difficult spot heading into the 2026-27 season. Stephen Curry is not getting any younger, but his supporting cast has significant question marks, raising plenty of concerns regarding their ability to compete heading into the upcoming campaign.
Jimmy Butler is still recovering from a torn ACL, and all reports point to him returning around the start of the next calendar year. Kristaps Porzingis is dealing with a mystery illness that has put his status for opening night in considerable doubt.
With the absences of those two, this Warriors team is crying out for some firepower on offense. And it looks like they will be leaning on their young players with the hope that they actually take the next step in their development.
There are a few Warriors players who can shock the world with a breakout 2026-27 campaign, especially when there's a significant usage void that the Dubs will need to fill.
Brandin Podziemski may be a sleeper post-hype breakout pick
When Podziemski came into the league in 2023, he immediately endeared himself to the Warriors fanbase by being a hustle player, a capable playmaker, and someone who is not afraid of the moment. But the Warriors fanbase expected more and more from Podziemski with each passing season, and his game did not quite make enough of a leap that's commensurate with those growing expectations.
When the Dubs decided to hold on to Podziemski instead of dangling him in potential trade talks for more established stars such as Lauri Markkanen or Paul George, the Warriors believed that the young guard out of Santa Clara could help take on more responsibility on offense to help out Curry.
While Podziemski has not lacked in confidence, his game appears to have stalled. He has improved his points per game average with each passing season, but by mere two point increments. The Warriors have needed him to up his three-point volume, but he hasn't yet averaged over two made three-pointers per contest in a single season.
The 23-year-old has evolved into a jack-of-all-trades type, and the Warriors haven't handed him the reins anyhow — putting a cap to his production. He didn't even manage to stick in the starting lineup last season, as he started just 43 of 82 games even amid Curry's injury problems.
But the Warriors still rewarded Podziemski with a five-year, $110 million contract extension, which signals that they might be ready to hand him a bigger role. Moreover, they might need Podziemzki to take that next step considering the dearth of shot-creators and playmakers on the team's roster.
The Warriors are also taking the ball out of Draymond Green's hands more often for this upcoming season, which suggests that a guard like Podziemski would have more touches in the team's motion-based system.
A combination of playing in a system that's more suited to him getting more touches, as well as the Warriors needing someone not named Curry to actually put points on the board, would suggest that Podziemski is inclined for a big 2026-27 campaign.
De'Anthony Melton is his biggest competitor for the starting shooting guard role, and Melton's injury history could mean that Podziemski would have to take on the brunt of the workload anyway.
No one should be surprised if Podziemski ends up averaging around 17 to 18 points per game on similar shooting splits, all while averaging over 30 minutes for the first time in his career while bumping his shot volume from beyond the arc.
Do not sleep on Yaxel Lendeborg
Speaking of filling in voids in the Warriors' lineup, Yaxel Lendeborg is about to go through a major trial by fire in his rookie campaign. The Warriors selected him with the 11th overall pick of this year's draft despite his advanced age, and this is due to the fact that he should be ready to contribute from day one.
Now 24 years of age, Lendeborg is looking like the instant impact rookie the Warriors expected him to be. After putting up just four points in his preseason debut, the rookie out of Michigan has now put up three consecutive impressive scoring games, averaging 19 points in just around 24 minutes per contest.
Lendeborg, who stands at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, possesses so much skill. He can take on his defenders off the bounce, get to the basket by using his grown-man strength, even against NBA veterans, and he possesses a sweet touch from range as well (38.4% from three in four preseason games thus far).
He's not even old by basketball experience standards; he did not start playing organized basketball until he was 17 years of age, right in the middle of his senior year in high school. And yet he's already this good for the Warriors.
Article Continues BelowWith the team having a major need for a two-way scoring wing, Lendeborg is sure to feature heavily in the Warriors' lineup this season — especially before Butler returns from injury. Head coach Steve Kerr is even urging him to be more aggressive, scoring-wise. It's hard to call Lendeborg a breakout candidate considering that he's a rookie, but fans will be more than justified if their expectations for him are through the roof.
Has Charles Bassey found a home?
Charles Bassey has been bouncing around the association since the 2021-22 season; in fact, just last season, he suited up for three different teams before he ended last season on the Warriors squad.
With Porzingis out, Bassey could start the 2026-27 season with a significant role in the Warriors rotation. Al Horford is 40 years old, and Green doesn't appear to be in the best shape either. The Warriors need some youth in their frontcourt, and Bassey, at just 25 years of age, can provide the Dubs with some much-needed athleticism and energy at the center spot.
Bassey impressed during the Warriors' 101-89 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in their most recent preseason game; in 27 minutes, he recorded eight points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks — giving the Dubs a legitimate interior threat who could help command the paint on either end of the floor.
The Dubs have been crying out for a center of his archetype for so long. And with Kerr having to be creative to squeeze as much as he can from this depleted roster, Bassey might be in for his most productive season yet.