Warriors Mull Tanking Season to Help Curry

Analysts debate whether Golden State should rest Curry and aim for a higher draft pick

Mar. 2, 2026 at 1:39pm

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Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor and Swish Theory's Ben Pfeifer discuss whether the Golden State Warriors should consider "tanking" the remainder of the season to help Stephen Curry recover from his knee injury and improve their chances of landing a higher draft pick. O'Connor argues the Warriors should prioritize Curry's health and aim for a top-4 draft position, rather than pushing for a playoff berth that could result in an early postseason exit.

Why it matters

The Warriors face a difficult decision as they balance Curry's long-term health with the team's immediate playoff aspirations. Tanking could secure a higher draft pick but risks alienating fans and players, while pushing Curry to return risks further injury. This debate highlights the challenges facing championship-caliber teams dealing with key injuries.

The details

With Curry sidelined for at least 10 more days due to a knee injury, O'Connor believes the Warriors should consider "tanking" the rest of the season to improve their draft position. He argues that even if they make the playoffs, they could face an early exit, whereas a top-4 draft pick could provide a valuable long-term asset to complement Curry, Draymond Green, and an aging core. Pfeifer acknowledges the difficulty in balancing Curry's health with the team's competitive goals, but is hesitant to fully embrace a tanking strategy.

  • On February 19th, O'Connor tweeted "Let the tank begin" in response to news of Curry's injury.
  • Curry is currently sidelined for at least 10 more days as he recovers from his knee injury.

The players

Stephen Curry

The Warriors' superstar guard who is currently sidelined with a knee injury.

Kevin O'Connor

A senior NBA analyst for Yahoo Sports who argues the Warriors should consider tanking the season to help Curry recover and improve their draft position.

Ben Pfeifer

An analyst from Swish Theory who discusses the Warriors' options with O'Connor, acknowledging the difficulty in balancing Curry's health and the team's competitive goals.

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What they’re saying

“I don't mean get out of the plan. I mean stay in the plan and stay in the plan at the spot where you can be a team that loses once and you're out, and then you might have the 10th or 11th best odds.”

— Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst

“If I'm the Warriors, I want that chance to move into the top four personally, instead of getting shellacked in the first round by OKC or San Antonio or Denver, whoever the opponent would end up being in the first round out of the plan.”

— Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst

What’s next

The Warriors will need to decide in the coming weeks whether to push for a playoff spot or prioritize Curry's recovery and aim for a higher draft pick.

The takeaway

The Warriors face a challenging decision as they balance Curry's long-term health with the team's immediate playoff aspirations. Tanking could secure a valuable draft asset but risks alienating fans, while rushing Curry back could jeopardize his recovery. This debate highlights the difficult tradeoffs facing championship-caliber teams dealing with key injuries.