The Warriors came into the offseason looking for a real upgrade, but the path they’ve taken has been anything but straightforward. Golden State has been tied to a handful of names, yet the biggest obstacle might not be the market itself - it could be Steve Kerr’s view of one of the most obvious fits.
Michael Porter Jr. has been floated as a possible target for the Warriors, and on paper the match makes sense. He brings the kind of perimeter shooting and off-ball movement that would slide neatly into Golden State’s motion offense. Last season, Porter Jr. put up a career-best 24.2 points per game, along with 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.3% from three.
Still, Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin O’Connor reported that Kerr’s opinion could be a major factor in whether the Warriors actually pursue him. As O’Connor wrote:
“B ut if it’s not Davis, then who: Trey Murphy? League sources say the Pelicans have resisted all trade offers so far and hope to compete next season.
Michael Porter Jr.? Sources say that Steve Kerr didn’t want MPJ in February, and there is little reason to believe he would want him now.”
That matters because Golden State has been quiet so far. More than three weeks into free agency, the Warriors still haven’t landed a notable signing, even after being linked to players such as LeBron James. Recent buzz has suggested that any chance of signing James may depend on the team’s ability to acquire Anthony Davis from the Washington Wizards.
That route is far from simple. A Davis trade brings plenty of complications, which is why a fallback plan would seem logical.
Porter Jr. looked like one of those alternatives, especially with Jimmy Butler sidelined by injury and Stephen Curry still needing help on the scoring end. But Kerr’s reported reluctance makes that option look shaky.
If Porter Jr. and Trey Murphy III are both effectively off the table, the Warriors’ choices get thin in a hurry. O’Connor noted that Golden State can put together a strong package of draft compensation, but the quality of available trade targets may not match the team’s needs.
For now, the most likely focus appears to remain Davis, even if that feels like a long shot at the moment. The situation could shift once he becomes extension-eligible on Aug. 6, and there are even suggestions that LeBron James is waiting to see how the Wizards handle that timeline.
There’s also a broader fallback if the Warriors miss on James altogether. NBA insider Anthony Slater has said the team could pivot toward the post-Steph era and take a longer view.
Porter Jr.’s own situation is unsettled as well. Despite a strong individual season with the Nets, extension talks are approaching and there’s no certainty about what comes next. If a deal doesn’t materialize, a trade may end up being the cleanest outcome for him - even if Golden State no longer looks like the destination.
In Other News...
Jonathan Kuminga Suddenly Has New Leverage In Warriors Standoff
Jonathan Kumingas market has a little more intrigue now, and that matters for the Warriors because the forwards next move has been tied to a standoff that could stretch into the summer. Cleveland had been one of the teams watching him closely, and there is still mutual interest there, but any path to a deal is complicated by the cap math and the possibility that a sign-and-trade would be needed to make it work.
The Cavaliers may not be alone in that chase, either, with the Lakers also positioned as a potential player in the mix. For Golden State, the bigger point is that Kuminga now has more than one possible landing spot to weigh, which gives him a little more leverage as the market develops and leaves the Warriors waiting to see whether a cleaner resolution emerges or the process gets even messier. [Read more 🡒]
Klay Thompson Reunion Suddenly Feels Much Tougher For The Warriors
Klay Thompsons path back to the Bay has gotten harder to picture, and not just because of the usual salary and roster gymnastics that come with any reunion. With the Warriors facing a bleak outlook next season, the idea of Thompson returning only really works if Golden State can present a convincing case that it is still built to contend, and that part of the pitch looks shakier now than it once did.
If Thompson does become available down the line, the Warriors may not be alone in the chase. Miami has already been mentioned as a team to watch, and a trade would only complicate matters further by taking the decision out of Thompsons hands. For Golden State, that leaves a familiar question hanging over an emotional reunion: even if the interest is real, is the timing still right? [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Running Out Of Time To Finally Pivot Around Stephen Curry
The Warriors have reached the point where every roster choice has to be measured against Stephen Currys remaining window, and that is pushing the front office toward a more practical kind of pivot. Instead of chasing a quick fix, the team is weighing a bigger role for its younger players, with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and holdovers like Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard and Gui Santos all part of the conversation as Golden State tries to stretch Currys competitive years.
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 🡒]