The Golden State Warriors’ offseason has already left plenty of questions hanging over the roster, and a new report only adds to the unease. According to Anthony Slater, the Warriors were not serious players for either Kawhi Leonard or Jaylen Brown, two names that would have dramatically changed the look of the team.
“They were never close on a Kawhi Leonard deal and weren't a significant part of the Jaylen Brown conversation.
“General manager Mike Dunleavy has opted instead to keep his assets, draft Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 11 in last month's draft and regather a similar group of veterans to the one that finished 37-45 last season, banking on better play, better health for Curry, the eventual return of Jimmy Butler III and the opportunity to pivot closer to the February trade deadline. Warriors coach Steve Kerr has openly talked about the need to lower expectations and acknowledged they weren't a championship-level team last season,” Anthony Slater wrote.
That approach leaves Golden State leaning on internal improvement and health rather than a blockbuster swing. Dunleavy has chosen to hold onto assets, add Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick, and bring back much of the same veteran core that went 37-45 last season.
The plan also depends on better play, healthier stretches for Curry, and the eventual return of Jimmy Butler III, with the possibility of making a move closer to the February trade deadline.
From the outside, that’s a hard sell for a fan base used to bigger ambitions. The Warriors still have time to reshape the roster, but for now they enter next season with a lot of uncertainty and no clear sign that either Leonard or Brown was ever truly in play.
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