Five NBA free agents who best fit the Warriors’ biggest needs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
As the hours shift toward Sunday afternoon, when the doors officially swing open to the NBA free-agent market, the Warriors find themselves in a position they know better than they would like.
While other teams are staring at expensive items, the Warriors, a franchise that continually kisses the luxury tax, will be strolling to the clearance racks.
Golden State’s experience over the years as minimum contract shoppers has produced huge hits (e.g. Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., David West, Zaza Pachulia), backup contributors (e.g. DeMarcus Cousins, JaVale McGee, Quinn Cook) and despicable misses (e.g. Brad Wanamaker, Willie Cauley-Stein, Omri Casspi).
It should be taken into account that the Warriors’ two strongest recruiting positions have weakened in recent years. Their storied culture has been tarnished by Draymond Green’s recent behavior. And they are no longer universally considered a championship favorite.
Any free agent coming on board knows their role is to complement a roster built around Stephen Curry, Green and, possibly, Klay Thompson. He could be the difference between the Warriors making or missing the playoffs.
The Warriors covet shooting. They know it, just like the rest of the NBA. Here are five players headed for unrestricted free agency and likely available on minimum contracts that would fill that need:
(UFA after a one-year vet contract worth at least $2.7 million)
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound guard is a roving hitman, a career 38.5 percent shooter who has worn five different jerseys. He made 77 starts in Milwaukee last season, averaging 11.3 points while shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc. He’s only 27, but he could be tempted to return to the Western Conference.
(UFA after one year contract with minimum $2 million vet)
An older version of Beasley, insofar as he has played for seven teams as a career 38.5 percent shooter from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound wing shot 40.3 percent from deep, mostly on spot-ups, as a reserve with the Rockets last season. He came to Houston after inking a three-year, $30 million deal with Dallas. At 33 years old, he still has a lot of triples in his bag.
(He will reportedly decline the $3.6 million player option)
He’s old (35) and slow and mediocre on defense, but his 3-point shooting (37.1 percent career, 37.8 percent last season) is still among the most dangerous in the NBA. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound guard still plays well without the ball — making him an easy matchup for any team — and most of his shots are from distance. His playoff experience (64 games) is a plus.
(UFA, after four-year contract for $94 million)
His total of four playoff games helps explain why his $104 million in career earnings is well below Gordon’s ($178 million). At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Hield is a 40-percent career shooter (38.9 last season) from distance. He’s only 31, but is a solid option for a team looking for shooters – assuming he understands he’s no longer earning a hefty salary.
(UFA, after one year contract with a minimum of $2.3 vet)
He’s a useful backup who can light it up (38.4 percent from beyond the arc last season in Brooklyn). He’s an interesting example because the Lakers, thirsty for shooters, let him walk in the summer of 2023. This was two months after his 15th birthday. fourth-quarter point in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals gave LA a 3-1 lead over the Warriors. They remember.
These five represent just a portion of those that will hit the market.
They could stay in-house and re-sign Lester Quinones, who will be a restricted free agent. They could consider re-signing UFA Alec Burks, who shot 40.7 percent from deep in 94 games with Detroit before being traded to the Knicks in February.
One thing’s for sure: Golden State heads into the weekend knowing the only way to add a player with All-Star credentials is via trade, as it won’t be able to throw its wallet at a free agent .
Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast
