The Warriors pretty much had a TRAGIC first two days of Free Agency, missing out on basically all the big names and the players they were linked to, even while having the full non-taxpayer MLE and the Biannual Exception. For more on that, feel free to check out this post I made earlier today: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/warriors/p/UFGwZy7GpAKgRl/golden-state-warriors-free-agency-day-1-recap
The big question is...What's next?...What moves can Golden State make at this stage?...What will happen to Kuminga?
I'm here to share my dream offseason for the Warriors and compare it to what I think will actually happen.
The Center Dilemma: Sign Deandre Ayton to the MLE ($14.1 mil)
Ayton seems like the center that Golden State has been needing. The Warriors don't need a big man to stretch the floor; they need a big man who can finish at the rim on the offensive side, protect the rim on the defensive side, and grab boards; Ayton can do all three. While he does not have a jump-shot, the Warriors need a traditional center more than a stretch-five at this moment.
Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that the Warriors can pull this off, as there has been no connection between the two teams for whatever reason. It seems like the Lakers are in the driver's seat for this one.
In reality, the Warriors will most likely give this money to Al Horford for the same role. I do like Horford's fit with Golden State, but he's basically just a better version of Quinten Post. He's a liability on the defensive end and isn't as aggressive in getting boards as most centers. Not to mention, he's missed around 30 games per year in the past couple of seasons.
A fall-out option I would like to see is Mo Wagner, although in reality, it would be Chris Boucher, per multiple sources.
The Kuminga Predicament: Re-sign Jonathon Kuminga
I really do believe JK deserves one more chance. I know that he didn't fit well into the lineups with Jimmy, but in my opinion, that's mainly since he had to sit out for about a month after the Warriors acquired him, making it harder to adjust. I know the popular opinion is for GSW to S&T him, but you don't give up this amount of talent for a player who is less skilled than him, but possibly a better fit (players like Malik Monk, Wiggins, Vucevic, and even Coby White); you just don't. If I were Mike, I wouldn't be willing to trade him unless it's for someone who is clearly more talented than him, like Bam.
I think JK would excel as the sixth man for this team. If all goes downhill, you can always flip him at the deadline, but I truly believe that he deserves one last chance.
In reality, the Warriors won't have the same mindset as me, but JK will probably end up re-signing anyway. Reports surfaced that he is not being offered the amount of money he wants or expects, and that re-signing may be the best path moving forward. Additionally, the new CBA, which states that the Warriors can only receive HALF of Kuminga's S&T salary in any trade, will make it difficult for GSW to get a player in return that they like. This means that in order to receive a player making $15 mil a year, Kuminga would have to sign for $30 mil a year, which no team is willing to offer. In my opinion, he will most likely sign for around $20 mil, which limits the Warriors to acquiring players making $10 mil. This will make it extremely hard to get a S&T done.
Filling out the Roster: Spencer Dinwiddie, Melton, and GP2
The Warriors should look to acquire a backup PG, as they never really had one this past season. Dinwiddie on the Biannual Exception would make a lot of sense to me. Besides Russ, whom we should avoid, and Brogdon, who we won't be able to afford, Dinwiddie is the best PG left in this FA class. He could be a guy who would provide some offense outside of Steph, Jimmy, and JK. Yes, he's a little streaky, but that doesn't matter when he can impact the team outside of his scoring ability, being a nice perimeter defender, and play initiator.
The Warriors should also look to re-sign defensive anchor Gary Payton II and an old friend in De'Anthony Melton on preferably vet mins. Not much has to be said about GP2. He's arguably our second-best defender, he's athletic, and his jumper continues to improve. Melton played very well alongside Steph in the backcourt before he tore his ACL. He can shoot, playmake, and defend, making the perfect 3&D guard the Warriors need. I think he'll be able to slip into the starting group; if not, he'll be a solid backup.
In reality, the Warriors may not be able to sign Dinwiddie, as I believe he'll get offered more than the Biannual Exception by another team. However, I believe the Warriors will get both GP2 and Melton back, with GP2 getting the Biannual instead. This is because there have been rumors that his return to GSW is in "doubt", meaning the Warriors would probably have to pay him more than the vet min.
Additionally, I would like to see a Moses Moody trade, as he was largely ineffective in the postseason. However, there have been little to no rumors about that, so I'll skip that for now. Giannis and Dame have also been rumored to be acquired by Golden State, but it is highly unlikely, in my opinion.
My Dream Rotation:
Starters: Steph, Melton, Jimmy, Dray, Ayton
Reserves: Dinwiddie, Podz, GP2, Kuminga, Post
Bench: Hield, Moody, Santos, TJD
The Actual Rotation:
Starters: Steph, Melton, Jimmy, Dray, Horford
Reserves: Podz, Hield, GP2, Kuminga, Post
Bench: Moody, Santos, TJD
This post took forever, so please LIKE AND FLAME! Thank you!