The Warriors were just one win away from being back-to-back NBA champions, but they are not content to keep their roster as it is heading into next season.
Apparently, the Warriors brass thinks if they’re going to compete with the likes of Cleveland and San Antonio (and Oklahoma City should they keep Kevin Durant) next season, they’re going to have to be aggressive. We already know that the number one option for Golden State is to sign Kevin Durant, and the former MVP is at the very least interested in listening to what the Warriors have to say.
Still, one would have to think the Thunder are still the prohibitive favorites to retain their superstar, which would mean the defending Western Conference champions would have to move on to Plan B.
Last week, it was reported that Golden State is interested in Dirk Nowitzki, but it seems unlikely he will leave Dallas even to go to team that just set the record for regular season victories. So, if the Warriors miss out on Durant and Nowitzki, which free agents will they target?
According to Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group, there are several big-name big men who Golden State might target in that scenario.
According to sources familiar with free agent talks, the Warriors are looking at Al Horford, Joakim Noah and even Hassan Whiteside. The contract demands might be too hefty but the goal is clear. The Warriors can’t thrive with a center that doesn’t attack the rim or score inside.
Thompson says the reason the Warriors want an upgrade at center is that teams didn’t respect Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli’s ability to score off the pick-and-roll, stifling the Warriors’ vaunted offensive attack. Having a finisher like Whiteside who can also protect the rim would be a big upgrade, as would the All-Star caliber game of Horford. Noah, on the other hand, is not quite the player he once was, but his superior passing game would fit right in to what the Warriors do on offense.
But center isn’t the only position that the Warriors may be looking for an upgrade, as Thompson states that they may be also interested in a small forward that isn’t named Harrison Barnes should plans for Durant and Nowitzki fall through.
Free agents Nicolas Batum and Evan Turner are among the players being considered at small forward, per sources, if the Warriors don’t get Kevin Durant. Which means the Warriors will be taking a long, hard look at if they can do better than Harrison Barnes.
Batum in the Warriors lineup sounds like a scary good fit to this writer, but he will be expensive if they are going to pry him away from Charlotte, a place he wants to stay and would shoulder more offensive responsibility.
Regardless of who they end up with, Golden State is undoubtedly going to be a popular attraction for free agents, and if they are going to be aggressive and are willing to open up their wallets, they will almost assuredly end up with at least one big-name player this offseason – as long as they’re comfortable letting go of Barnes, that is.
(Via Bay Area News Group)
