The Golden State Warriors may already be planning their next championship push — and surprisingly, two veteran big men are now at the center of that vision.

In a statement that immediately caught the attention of NBA fans across the world, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made it clear that Golden State wants both Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis back next season.

“Yeah, those are guys that we definitely would love to have back,” Dunleavy said.

And he didn’t stop there.

Dunleavy specifically praised Horford for his “size, shooting, leadership,” while describing Porziņģis as “a unique, unique player on both ends of the court.” Shortly after, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr doubled down on the message, openly admitting he hopes both veterans remain in Golden State.

“Obviously, we want him back,” Kerr said about Horford.

“Kristaps… I’d love to have him back.”

Those comments may sound simple on the surface, but in reality, they reveal something much bigger about the Warriors’ future plans.

For years, Golden State built its dynasty around speed, shooting, and small-ball basketball led by Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson. But as the NBA has evolved into a more physical and versatile league, the Warriors have quietly realized they can no longer survive without elite size and frontcourt depth.

That’s exactly why Horford and Porziņģis became so valuable.

Horford brought stability, leadership, toughness, and championship-level experience. Even late in his career, he continued proving why so many contenders trust him in high-pressure situations. His ability to stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and organize the defense gave Golden State a completely different dimension they have lacked for years.

Then there’s Porziņģis.

When healthy, KP changes everything.

At 7-foot-3, Porziņģis remains one of the most unique players in basketball because he can protect the rim, shoot from deep, create matchup nightmares, and completely alter offenses defensively. Few teams in the NBA possess a player with his combination of size and skill.

And apparently, the Warriors don’t want that experiment ending anytime soon.

What makes this situation especially fascinating is the contradiction inside Golden State’s strategy. Reports continue to suggest the Warriors want to get younger overall, preparing for life after their aging core eventually declines. Yet despite that goal, the franchise clearly believes Horford and Porziņģis are still essential pieces for winning right now.

That tells you one important thing: Golden State still believes its championship window is open.

As long as Stephen Curry is still performing at an elite level, the Warriors refuse to fully rebuild. Instead, they appear determined to maximize every remaining season of Curry’s legendary career by surrounding him with experienced, intelligent veterans who fit Steve Kerr’s system.

And honestly, it makes sense.

The Western Conference has become absolutely brutal. Younger teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets are loaded with athleticism, size, and depth. Golden State can no longer rely solely on small lineups and offensive explosions to survive deep playoff battles.

They need size.

They need experience.

And they need players who understand how to win under pressure.

Horford and Porziņģis provide exactly that.

Fans are already debating whether keeping both veterans is the right move. Some believe Golden State should fully commit to youth development and begin preparing for the next era. Others argue that as long as Curry is still playing at an All-NBA level, the Warriors owe it to him to remain aggressive in pursuit of another championship.

Social media reactions have been explosive.

Some fans are calling the potential return of both veterans a “masterclass” move by the front office, believing Horford’s IQ and Porziņģis’ versatility perfectly complement Curry’s style. Others worry about injuries, aging, and whether the Warriors are becoming too dependent on older players in a younger, faster NBA.

Still, one thing is impossible to deny: the Warriors looked different with those two on the roster.

More balanced.

More physical.

More dangerous.

And perhaps most importantly, more capable of competing with the league’s elite frontcourts.

Now the pressure shifts toward the offseason.

Can Golden State realistically keep both players while also trying to get younger? Will the salary cap create difficult decisions? And perhaps the biggest question of all: does this strategy give Stephen Curry one final realistic shot at another championship?

Because the Warriors are making one thing very clear — they are not ready to walk away from the title chase just yet.

And with Horford and Porziņģis potentially returning, the rest of the NBA may need to start taking Golden State seriously again.