The Warriors have spent the offseason chasing big swings, but most of the noise has centered on deals that never got off the ground.
Golden State made an attempt to pry Anthony Davis away from the Wizards, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, with the thinking that landing LeBron James would become more realistic if the Warriors added James’ former Lakers teammate and fellow Klutch Sports client. But the asking price from Washington was described by a team source as “unreasonable,” and the conversations never moved beyond the first contact.
The Warriors also checked in with Boston on Jaylen Brown, Siegel reports, but the Celtics had no interest in any of Golden State’s trade assets and wouldn’t even hear offers. Siegel adds that the Warriors would have been willing to include Jimmy Butler, who they’ve preferred to keep out of trade talks, along with draft capital in a pursuit of Davis or Brown.
James’ own free-agent thinking appears to have shifted quickly during the first week of Las Vegas Summer League. Sources told Siegel it became clear then that James wanted to sign with an Eastern Conference team instead of staying close to his California home. He reportedly had “genuine interest” in joining the Warriors after speaking with Stephen Curry on the phone and meeting Draymond Green in person, but Golden State wasn’t seen as a real title threat because Curry is its only dependable scorer and James didn’t want to wait for Butler to return from his ACL tear.
Golden State has also been active in its search for wing help. Siegel says the Warriors have reached out multiple times to New Orleans about Trey Murphy III, offering two first-round picks. The Pelicans, though, have held firm at three first-rounders plus a young player who can grow with their core, a package the Warriors can’t match.
There’s still plenty to sort out on the roster front. Curry, who is on a $62.6MM expiring contract for next season, will be extension-eligible on August 6 and can reportedly get “whatever deal he wants.”
Siegel says that could mean a one- or two-year agreement, with Curry effectively able to name his price. Green, meanwhile, could return on a one-year deal at the $27.7MM figure he passed on in his player option, or he could work out a longer contract that keeps him aligned with Curry and coach Steve Kerr.
The Warriors and Gary Payton II also have mutual interest in a veteran’s minimum deal, sources confirmed to Siegel, continuing a possibility that had already been reported.
Golden State has reached out to representatives for DeMar DeRozan as well, but Siegel’s sources say he’s unlikely to take a minimum-salary offer when other teams can pay him more.
One name that’s no longer in the mix is Michael Porter Jr. Siegel reports that the Warriors had explored a deal for him before the trade deadline, but have since “moved on.”
And next month, extension talks are expected with Brandin Podziemski. Siegel adds that a new deal is likely to land in the $24MM average annual value range.
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It is the kind of adjustment the franchise has been slow to make, but the alternatives are getting thinner. A more balanced rotation built around development and a few low-risk free agent additions would at least give the Warriors a chance to support Curry without overcommitting to a short-term swing, and the next steps will show whether they are finally ready to treat the future as part of the present. [Read more 🡒]