The Golden State Warriors, the NBA's embodiment of consistent excellence in the not-so-distant past, find themselves in a state of flux entering the 2024 offseason.

Their payroll is massive, their roster is a blend of aging (and, in several cases, fading) stars and still-developing prospects and their clock is ticking with Stephen Curry's 36th birthday behind him.

They have multiple key contributors heading (or able to reach) free agency, and they could lose more if they're biggest hopes for the trade market come to fruition.

The road ahead is uncertain and loaded with potential pitfalls. Let's dig into everything that awaits the Warriors this summer.

The Draft

Given the way Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. aced his first draft—getting Brandin Podziemski at No. 19 and Trayce Jackson-Davis at No. 57—they probably wish he'd have ample exposure to this year's talent grab.

Barring some (massive) lottery luck, though, that won't be the case.

Golden State's second-rounder belongs to the Houston Rockets, while its first-rounder will go to the Portland Trail Blazers unless it lands in the top four. There is less than a four percent chance of that happening, per Tankathon.

While a lottery jackpot or a trade could change things, the Warriors figure to only have the Milwaukee Bucks' second-rounder, which is slated to land in the early 50s. In the latest mock draft from B/R's Jonathan Wasserman, the Warriors spent the No. 52 on Tristen Newton, a 6'5" senior guard who led the national champion UConn Huskies in points (15.1) and assists (6.2).

Free Agency

While big changes could be coming for Golden State, those that happen in free agency are likely to be of the subtraction variety.

The Warriors already have a pricey payroll, and that's before accounting for the futures of Klay Thompson (unrestricted free agent) and Chris Paul (non-guaranteed salary). While Golden State could bring one or both players back, it's also aiming to cut costs and get out of the most punitive areas of luxury tax.

"Plan 1A: We'd actually like to be out of the tax, and we think we have a way to do that. That kind of is the plan," Warriors governor Joe Lacob told The Athletic's Tim Kawakami on "The TK Show" in February (via NBC Sports Bay Area). "Not just on the second apron ... The truth is, we need to be [below the tax line] two years out of the next four to get this repeater thing off our books—it's just so prohibitive."

Beyond Thompson and Paul, Kevon Looney has only a partial guarantee on his salary, Gary Payton II holds a $9.1 million player option and Dario Šarić is an unrestricted free agent.

Trade Market

This regime has never lacked ambition, and its trade hopes for this summer are the latest example of that. A(nother) run at LeBron James is one of several shoot-for-the-sky scenarios it's reportedly mulling.

"The Warriors' lead decision-makers still believe Curry's longevity gives them a couple more seasons of possible contention if the roster around him is up to it," The Athletic's Sam Amick, Anthony Slater and Jovan Buha reported. "If there's a path to LeBron, Giannis Antetokounmpo (their dream scenario), impending free agent Paul George or a reunion with Kevin Durant, they will explore it."

Before Warriors fans rush out to order any customized jerseys of those mega-stars, though, it's worth noting there's a real chance none will be available. And even if they are, it's worth wondering what Golden State has to give up to get them. Come draft night, the Warriors will have three future firsts to trade (two outright and the better side of its top-20 protected pick in 2030), but other win-now teams have deeper draft-pick collections.

Andrew Wiggins' name has bounced around the rumor mill, but after a disappointing season, he may not be regarded as a positive asset. The Warriors might need some young sweeteners, then, perhaps even including breakout swingman Jonathan Kuminga, particularly if they're able to land one of those top-tier targets.