Bradley Beal is still sitting out there, and that alone keeps his name in the conversation for the Warriors.
Golden State has shown interest in Beal before, and that history matters now that free agency has stretched on for more than two weeks. The three-time All-Star remains one of the biggest names left on the board, even if the fit comes with plenty of questions.
His run with the Phoenix Suns didn’t deliver much impact, and hip surgery cut short his lone season with the L.A. Clippers, which naturally raises the issue of whether he’s really the kind of backcourt help Stephen Curry needs.
The Warriors could circle back if they choose, especially with the early chatter tying Beal to the Miami Heat looking overblown. Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald recently reported that Miami has not pursued Beal aggressively, despite some conversations. That leaves his next move very much unsettled.
Golden State’s interest in Beal isn’t new. The team was linked to him five years ago when he was still with the Washington Wizards and putting up more than 30 points per game. The Warriors also had interest last offseason after he was bought out by the Suns, but he ended up signing a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers before opting out of the second year.
Even so, this is not exactly a clean fit. The Warriors already have an older, injury-prone roster, and Beal would bring more risk into that mix. Still, if Golden State misses on bigger targets, he could come back into play.
That’s because the Warriors have a clear need to add offense. They finished 19th in offense last season, Curry is 38, and Jimmy Butler is expected to be out for much of next season. LeBron James is the obvious priority, DeMar DeRozan is another name to watch, and a trade can’t be ruled out either.
If none of those paths opens up, Beal could become the fallback. He’s not the same scorer he once was, but he still averaged 17 points and 3.7 assists while shooting 49.7% from the field and 38.6% from 3-point range in his final season in Phoenix. That may not be the splashiest outcome, but given Golden State’s needs and its previous interest, it’s a name that still belongs on the list.
In Other News...
Grizzlies Just Took A Direct Shot At The Warriors Again
Memphis has found a new way to poke at Golden State, this time by signing Quinten Post to an offer sheet that puts the Warriors in an awkward spot. The Grizzlies handed Post a three-year, $30 million deal, a move that fits with a franchise still reshaping its roster after trading away key pieces and entering a rebuilding stretch.
What makes the maneuver stand out is the timing and the target. Memphis appears to be using the offer sheet not just to add depth, but to make life harder for a division rival that has spent years at the center of the Western Conference conversation, keeping the old rivalry simmering even as the Grizzlies try to chart their next phase. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Face A Risky Veteran Dilemma Fans Know Too Well
The Warriors are still hunting for more scoring, but the conversation around their next move has a familiar tension to it: add a proven veteran and risk crowding out the younger pieces, or stay patient and keep the developmental runway open. DeMar DeRozan has entered that mix as a name worth watching, and his appeal is obvious for a team that needs shot creation and half-court offense.
The concern is just as obvious. Golden State has young players trying to carve out real roles, including Yaxel Lendeborg and Gui Santos, and any veteran addition would squeeze those minutes further. Even if DeRozan brings dependable offense, the bigger question is whether that kind of move actually changes the Warriors' standing in a crowded Western Conference while Jimmy Butler is sidelined. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Summer League Momentum Just Hit A Frustrating Reality Check
The Warriors run through Las Vegas hit its first rough patch Sunday, when Memphis handed them a 106-85 loss and snapped the early momentum they had built in Summer League play. Golden State still got another encouraging look from rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who filled the box score with 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals in 29 minutes, but the team never found enough rhythm to keep pace once the Grizzlies started separating.
Memphis had the cleaner offensive night, led by Javon Smalls 26 points and supported by Brendan Hausens 20 off the bench, while Golden State spent much of the game trying to answer a scoring burst it could not quite match. The Warriors now turn to the New York Knicks in their next tournament game, with a chance to reset quickly and see whether the loss was just a stumble or a sign that the margin gets tighter from here. [Read more 🡒]