Warriors Priorities for the 2021 NBA Offseason
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After losing two play-in games, the Golden State Warriors’ season came to an end in heartbreak. The Dubs had a number of chances to make the playoffs but fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in a nail-biter game for the #7 spot, 103–100. They then came up just short in a five-point overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Despite going 16–6 down the stretch and finishing with a 39–33 record, Golden State’s 2020–21 season will be remembered as a letdown. Klay Thompson’s loss for the second season in a row ruined any dreams of contending for a championship. Although it’s far too early to write off the #2 overall pick, James Wiseman’s rookie season didn’t inspire much confidence.
Eric Paschall and Kelly Oubre Jr. had disappointing seasons. Meanwhile, general manager Bob Myers failed to add some depth pieces, causing the Warriors to become overly reliant on Stephen Curry.
Despite this, the team faced a great deal of difficulties. Coach Steve Kerr’s team was competitive most nights, despite injuries and COVID-19-related absences. Curry became the second oldest player to win the league’s scoring title at the age of 33, under Michael Jordan, who earned it at the age of 35 during the 1997–1998 season.
Curry’s comeback season should give him hope for the near future. He demonstrated that he can still carry a club on his shoulders, and he should be among the league’s top scorers for at least the next two seasons.
Draymond Green showed he can still anchor the defense while demonstrating his playmaking ability by averaging a career-high 8.9 assists despite his offensive limitations.
Jordan Poole emerged as a legitimate scoring option coming off the bench. The 21-year-old averaged 12 points per game and was one of the best players on the roster after being recalled from the G League in early March.
Without further ado, let’s get into the top 3 priorities for Bob Myers and the Dubs to get accomplished this Off-season!
PRIORITY 1: Stephen Curry signs his extension
Steph Curry has a big decision to make this summer.
The NBA MVP finalist for 2020–21 can either sign another max contract extension with the Warriors, guaranteeing that he ends his prime years in the Bay Area, or he may do the unthinkable and test free agency next summer by declining the agreement.
While some national media analysts want Curry to leave the Warriors, the Warriors’ brain trust appears unconcerned.
Curry is expected to sign the maximum contract extension this summer, according to the Warriors' president of basketball operations and general manager Bob Myers.
“I don’t see any reason not to be optimistic. He seems like he’s motivated; we’re motivated. I would say pretty confident we’ll get something done.”
Curry is the face of the Warriors franchise, and if he isn’t already the best player in the team’s history, he will be by the end of his career.
PRIORITY 2: Add Veterans + Proven Shooters
Knowing that Thompson’s return will be insufficient, the Warriors will attempt to add to their squad slowly until they can pull off a huge trade. They don’t have a lot of options. Their budget for 2021–22 is borderline. They have no salary-cap room and will have to pay a lot of luxury taxes. They can add a mid-level exemption or a mix of one or two lottery picks with minimum contacts. Whatever path they take, Myers has outlined the issues he wants to solve in free agency.
“It’s guys that maybe can stretch the floor. Maybe a shooting big, maybe a playmaking guard. … Maybe some more offense-minded guys,” Myers said. “The shooting is interesting because with [Kent] Bazemore, and hopefully we’ll get him back, but with Juan [Toscano-Anderson] and even Jordan [Poole] and [Mychal] Mulder, we had some decent shooting. But you can always use more.
“… Offensively, how Steph was being guarded, it’s not fair to him almost,” Myers added. “One guy can’t do that much. It’s a compliment to him, clearly, that he got the attention he got. But that’s very hard and a lot to ask of him to shoulder that burden by himself. So we need to help him on the offensive side a little bit.”
Two players that I believe the Warriors should sign are Reggie Bullock and Wayne Ellington. Reggie Bullock is an above-average shooter who hits 40% of his shots beyond the arc. In addition, he is playing elite defense right now for the NBA’s best defensive team, the New York Knicks. He gives the Warriors veteran leadership. The only problem is whether the Warriors can offer him enough money with their stacked payroll.
The other veteran shooter the Warriors could potentially add is Wayne Ellington. He would potentially come over on a veteran minimum. Ellington is a career 38% three-point shooter who shot over 40% last season. The only problem would be whether he would come over after his altercation with Klay and Dray earlier this season.
PRIORITY 3: Klay’s Rehab + develop Wiseman
Klay’s rehab should be a major focus for the Warriors this offseason. Klay’s a superstar, a mentor, a leader, and the Warriors are well aware of the importance of having him on the team. With Klay, the Warriors are borderline contenders and without him, they are a fringe playoff team. Klay’s shooting and ability to stretch the floor will relieve some pressure off of Steph and his All-NBA defense hides Steph’s subpar on-ball defense.
However, it will not be easy. Everyone was ecstatic when John Wall and Kevin Durant returned this season after tearing their Achilles’ and looked almost identical to their previous selves, although Wall was given 23 months to rehab and Durant was given 18 months. Thompson will be less than a year — roughly 11 months — removed from his torn Achilles tendon when the 2021–22 season begins. Thompson’s return isn’t “realistic,” according to Myers, in any manner, let alone in top form, anytime soon.
“What we’re focused on is when can we expect Klay to be Klay,” Myers said. “I don’t know if that will be January, February, March. It’s too early to say.
Now, Wiseman. If Bob Myers is a wise man, it’s simple: Golden State should not trade James Wiseman under any circumstances.
Yes, he is young. Yes, he is raw. Yes, he has already been injured. In a Steph Curry-led offense, however, his ceiling is that of an All-Star. He’s ridiculously tall, bouncy, and incredibly skillful for his size. In reality, his jumper extends to 15 feet, and his form implies that he might need a little more range. On defense, his instincts are fantastic, and having a player who is too active and block-happy rather than no is always a positive thing.
It is tempting to capitalize on Wiseman’s value while he is a relatively cheap rookie that shows such promise. But he is the best true big Golden State has had since Andrew Bogut already as a rookie. Imagine the Warriors’ offense, but with a potentially prime DeAndre Jordan-level rim runner. That can also shoot. Now picture that same athlete on defense, and add an actual motor. Yikes.
That is what the Warriors are giving up if they deal with Wiseman: their present and future.
Here is Bob Myer’s Full Post Regular Season Press Conference!
