Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball franchise based in San Francisco, California. The team competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference’s Pacific Division. Initially founded in 1946 in Philadelphia as the Philadelphia Warriors, they are one of the NBA’s oldest organizations and have won seven championships (one BAA title in 1947, six NBA titles in 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022).

The Warriors are best known for their modern dynasty that spans from 2015 to the present, winning three championships in four years and adding a fourth in 2022. They established a revolutionary style of play built around three-point shooting, ball movement, and pace. Led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the franchise became one of the most dominant teams in NBA history, appearing in five consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 to 2019.

Philadelphia Origins and Early Success (1946–1962)

The Warriors were founded in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors, one of the original franchises in the Basketball Association of America (BAA). In the league’s inaugural 1946-47 season, the Warriors won the BAA championship, defeating the Chicago Stags 4-1 in the Finals. Guard Joe Fulks led the team, averaging 23.2 points per game and becoming the BAA’s first scoring champion.

In 1949, the BAA merged with the National Basketball League to form the NBA, and the Warriors became a founding NBA franchise. The team won its second championship in 1956, led by Hall of Famers Paul Arizin, Tom Gola, and Neil Johnston.

The Philadelphia era also featured NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain, who joined the Warriors in 1959 and dominated the league with historic statistical performances. However, Chamberlain was traded to the San Francisco Warriors (as the relocated team was known) before the 1965 trade that sent him to Philadelphia’s new team, the 76ers.

Relocation to San Francisco and the Golden State Era (1962–1971)

In 1962, the franchise relocated to San Francisco and became the San Francisco Warriors, playing initially at the Cow Palace and later at San Francisco Civic Auditorium. The move reflected the NBA’s westward expansion and positioned the team in the growing Bay Area market.

The Warriors continued to feature competitive rosters but struggled to achieve championship success during this period. In 1971, the franchise adopted the name “Golden State Warriors” to represent the entire state of California, though nearly all home games were played in Oakland.

The 1975 Championship and the Rick Barry Era (1972–1978)

In 1971, the Warriors moved to Oakland Arena (later Oracle Arena) and changed their name to Golden State. The 1974-75 season delivered the franchise’s first championship on the West Coast. Coached by Al Attles and led by Rick Barry and Jamaal Wilkes, the Warriors posted a 48-34 regular season record and upset the heavily favored Washington Bullets (60-22) in a stunning four-game Finals sweep.

The victory is widely considered one of the greatest upsets in NBA history. Barry won Finals MVP, and Attles became the first African American full-time head coach to win an NBA championship (Bill Russell had won as a player-coach).

The Warriors returned to the playoffs in 1976 and 1977 but fell short of another championship. Following this period, the franchise entered a prolonged decline, missing the playoffs repeatedly and cycling through coaches and rosters.

The “Run TMC” Era and Competitive Struggles (1987–1994)

The late 1980s and early 1990s featured the popular “Run TMC” trio: Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin. The three guards formed an exciting, high-scoring backcourt that made the Warriors entertaining, but they rarely advanced deep into the playoffs.

In 1994, the Warriors made one of the franchise’s most controversial decisions, firing coach Don Nelson despite consecutive playoff appearances. Nelson had coached the team since 1988 and established a fast-paced, innovative offensive system. His dismissal marked the beginning of organizational instability.

The We Believe Era and Playoff Drought (1995–2013)

The Warriors endured prolonged mediocrity throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, missing the playoffs 12 consecutive seasons from 1995 to 2006. The franchise played at Oracle Arena in Oakland (previously Oakland Coliseum Arena), struggling with poor management and roster construction.

In 2007, the eighth-seeded Warriors shocked the first-seeded Dallas Mavericks (67-15), winning the first-round series 4-2 in one of the greatest playoff upsets in NBA history. Baron Davis led the “We Believe” Warriors, galvanizing Bay Area fans. However, the team lost to Utah in the second round and returned to mediocrity.

The Lacob-Guber Era and Organizational Transformation (2010–2014)

On July 15, 2010, a group led by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber purchased the Warriors from Chris Cohan for $450 million, then a record price for an NBA franchise. Lacob, a venture capitalist and a former Boston Celtics minority owner, and Guber, a Hollywood producer, are committed to transforming the organization.

The new ownership hired Bob Myers as general manager in 2012. Myers, a former sports agent, oversaw strategic drafting and player development. The Warriors selected Stephen Curry (Davidson) seventh overall in 2009, Klay Thompson (Washington State) 11th overall in 2011, and Draymond Green (Michigan State) 35th overall in 2012, assembling the core of a future dynasty without realizing it.

In 2014, the Warriors hired Steve Kerr as head coach, replacing Mark Jackson. Kerr, a five-time NBA champion as a player and former broadcaster, implemented a revolutionary offensive system emphasizing ball movement, three-point shooting, and pace. The decision proved transformative.

The Dynasty Era (2015–2019)

The 2014-15 Warriors finished 67-15 and defeated LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 in the NBA Finals, ending a 40-year championship drought. Curry won league MVP, and Andre Iguodala earned Finals MVP. The championship marked the beginning of the NBA’s modern three-point revolution.

The 2015-16 Warriors set an NBA record with a 73-9 regular season, surpassing the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ 72-10 mark. However, despite a 3-1 Finals lead over Cleveland, the Warriors became the first team to blow such an advantage in the Finals, losing in seven games.

On July 4, 2016, Kevin Durant signed with the Warriors in free agency, joining Curry, Thompson, and Green. The addition created one of the most talented rosters in NBA history. Golden State won championships in 2017 (16-1 playoff record, .941 winning percentage) and 2018 (sweeping Cleveland 4-0), establishing a dynasty.

The Warriors reached the 2019 Finals but lost to the Toronto Raptors 4-2 amid devastating injuries. Durant tore his Achilles tendon in the Finals, and Thompson tore his ACL, both requiring year-long recoveries. The injuries marked the dynasty’s end and the beginning of a rebuilding period.

Post-Dynasty Transition (2019–2022)

The 2019-20 Warriors posted a 15-50 record, the NBA’s worst. Without Curry (broken hand), Thompson (ACL recovery), and Durant (departed to Brooklyn), the team bottomed out. However, the Warriors maintained organizational infrastructure and drafted James Wiseman second overall in 2020.

In 2020-21, Curry returned to MVP-caliber play, but Thompson remained out (Achilles injury). The Warriors finished 39-33 and missed the playoffs again.

The 2022 Championship and Chase Center Era (2019–Present)

In 2019, the Warriors moved from Oracle Arena in Oakland to the newly constructed Chase Center in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood. The $1.4 billion arena represented a new chapter for the franchise, though it proved controversial among Oakland fans who felt abandoned.

The 2021-22 Warriors recaptured championship glory. With Thompson’s return and strong performances from young players Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and Gary Payton II, Golden State finished 53-29. The Warriors defeated Boston 4-2 in the Finals, with Curry winning his first Finals MVP award. The championship proved the dynasty’s core still possessed championship ability.

Current Era and Organizational Challenges (2023–Present)

The post-2022 period has featured significant roster turnover and organizational tension. In 2023, the Warriors traded Jordan Poole to Washington. In February 2025, Golden State acquired Jimmy Butler from Miami in a multi-team trade, surrendering its 2025 first-round pick (which became the 20th overall selection).

On February 5, 2026, the Warriors acquired Kristaps Porzingis from Atlanta in exchange for Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga. Porzingis, a 30-year-old center averaging 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds, joined Butler and the Warriors’ core. However, both Butler and Porzingis have dealt with injury issues, limiting their impact.

Steve Kerr is in the final year of his contract ($17.5 million annually, the highest coaching salary in NBA history) and has stated he will not seek an extension during the season, preferring to evaluate his future after the year concludes. Lacob and Dunleavy have expressed support for Kerr, who has compiled a 558-302 record in 11 seasons.

Organizational tensions have surfaced publicly. In December 2025, owner Joe Lacob sent an email to a frustrated fan acknowledging his own frustration and referencing “coaches’ desires regarding players” and “style of play,” suggesting philosophical disagreements between ownership and coaching staff about roster construction and system fit.

Lacob has also been reported as the “leading suitor” to purchase MLB’s San Diego Padres, raising questions about his focus on the Warriors during this transitional period.

Ownership and Front Office

Joe Lacob serves as Co-Executive Chairman and CEO and managing member of the Warriors’ ownership group. Peter Guber serves as Co-Executive Chairman. Lacob has an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion; Guber’s net worth is approximately $1.5 billion.

Mike Dunleavy Jr., former NBA player and son of coach Mike Dunleavy Sr., serves as General Manager. He succeeded Bob Myers, who resigned in May 2023 after 11 years.

Kirk Lacob, Joe’s eldest son, serves as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. His younger brother Kent Lacob resigned from his VP of Basketball Development role in June 2025 after a decade with the organization.

Championships and Historical Record

The Warriors have won seven championships: one BAA title (1947), six NBA titles (1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022). The franchise has appeared in 13 NBA Finals and made 38 playoff appearances in 80 seasons.