We’re in the beginning stages of the Golden State Warriors offseason preparations, and there are plenty of plots and subplots to follow during July’s free agent push. Here are three things to know about their free agency plans:
**UPDATED 6/30 8:26 PM ET**
Warriors interested in Marco Belinelli
Golden State was the best three-point shooting team in the NBA last season, but that's not going to stop them from adding more shooters to their lineup. According to Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports, the Warriors are interested in Marco Belinelli, who's a career 39 percent three-point shooter. Golden State drafted Belinelli 18th overall in 2007, but traded him to Toronto after two seasons. He has since carved out a role in San Antonio's rotation, though he saw his minutes diminsh last year.
Re-sign Draymond Green at all costs
The Warriors have maintained the line this season that they’re willing to max out Green (or close to it) with the extra year in order to keep him as the primary bodyguard of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. In truth, a system like Steve Kerr’s where Green is anywhere from the third to fifth option on a given night is suited to a grinder like him. He’s the grit underlying the Warriors’ flash, and we remain convinced that the Dubs won’t let him slip away come July.
David Lee trade inevitable?
Former NBA All-Star David Lee may have played his final game as a member of theGolden State Warriors, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein:
Sources said the Warriors have privately acknowledged to Lee and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, that it would be unfair to the former All-Star to ask him to continue to serve in a limited role next season after Lee accepted his diminished minutes without complaint all season.Although discussions on this topic were essentially tabled by both sides until after the playoffs, sources said Wednesday that the Warriors and Bartelstein have resolved to work together to “come up with a good solution” to find a new home for Lee this offseason.
Lee, 32, suffered a hamstring injury in training camp and returned to find his starting spot filled by 2014-15 NBA Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Draymond Green. Now with one year left on the six-year, $80 million deal he signed with the Warriors back in 2010, he’ll be a prime trade chip for the franchise as it heads into preparations for the NBA Draft and the open of July’s free agency period.
K.J. McDaniels top free agent target?
McDaniels is one of the most promising young rookies in the league, but will be a free agent this offseason after signing just a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, who drafted him in the second round. He’s already a good defender, and his elite athleticism will flourish in Golden State’s up-tempo system. McDaniels would be an immediate upgrade over Leandro Barbosa as Klay Thompson’s backup and has the potential to develop into one of the team’s top players.
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