SAN FRANCISCO — The first domino of the Warriors’ offseason fell last week, when Steve Kerr signed to return as their head coach. Now, the real business can begin.
“We have a lot to figure out this summer,” Kerr said.
Steph Curry has expressed a desire to get an extension done. There is mutual interest in locking up Brandin Podziemski long term. Draymond Green must decide whether to exercise his player option or seek a longer-term deal at a lower annual figure.
Then there is the prospect of the No. 11 pick, a valuable asset in a loaded lottery that the team can use to inject some youth into an aging roster — or in a potential trade for another superstar to pair with Curry.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. didn’t rule out the possibility of going big-game hunting.
“As far as trade acquisition stuff, I mean, we’re probably always in the conversation, frankly, because we have the draft capital to be,” Dunleavy said. “If there’s offers to the pick to move up, move back, trade for a veteran player that could help us, we’ll definitely look at all that stuff.”
It’s no secret the Warriors sought to add Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kawhi Leonard during this season’s trade deadline. They’ve also been rumored as a possible landing spot for LeBron James, should his eight-year run with the Lakers end.
However, there is more to consider than simply star power when supplementing a roster built around an age-38 Curry. They will already be “behind the eight ball” to begin the season, Dunleavy acknowledged, while Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody recover from injuries.
“I think we had, like, six guys this year who either couldn’t play back-to-backs or were on minutes restrictions often at the same time,” Kerr said. “We can’t do that again. It’s too hard to build continuity. We need some younger legs, for sure. We know that.”
The draft gives them a chance to do that, and Kerr said with their shortcomings to start the season, particularly on the wing, “that guy has to play” if they hold onto their pick.
Butler and Moody are two of only five players under contract for next season. Kristaps Porzingis, Gary Payton II and Seth Curry are unrestricted free agents, De’Anthony Melton and Al Horford also have player options, and Pat Spencer and Quinten Post will have the opportunity to receive offer sheets from other teams as restricted free agents.
Golden State also has three assistant coaching vacancies to fill, including the top two chairs on the bench following the departures of Chris DeMarco, Jerry Stackhouse and Terry Stotts.
Dunleavy said he is hopeful about reunions with Porzingis and Horford, who “add(ed) an element to our team that we haven’t had in the past.” Horford, 39, must decide if he wants to keep playing, in Golden State or elsewhere, while Porzingis may have to weigh the value of the Warriors’ training staff against more lucrative offers from other teams.
As for Green, whose player option would pay him $27.7 million, “the ball is in his court,” Dunleavy said. “We have had discussions where we want him to finish his career as a Warrior. He kind of feels the same way. I would expect him to be back, but it’s his call on that.”
The Warriors didn’t give Jonathan Kuminga the contract he wanted before restricted free agency, straining a relationship that hit its breaking point at the trade deadline this season.
With Podziemski, Dunleavy indicated the team is targeting a different outcome.
“It’s one of those situations where if you want a player back, it’s got to work for you and him,” the GM said. “Hopefully we can come to a contract agreement before the start of next season.”
Another extension will take priority: One for Curry, who will make $62.6 million this season but doesn’t have a contract beyond that. Curry said he hopes to play for “multiple” more years, and now Kerr’s contract extends a year beyond Curry’s current commitment.
“I’m sure those conversations will happen,” Dunleavy said. “You can predict where they’ll be going. I don’t see any scenario where we don’t want to figure out a way to have him finish here.”
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