How each semi final team’s free agents can help define the OKC Thunder offseason
Golden State Warriors:
Key free agents:
- Kevin Durant (Player)
- Klay Thompson
Other free agents:
- DeMarcus Cousins
- Quinn Cook
- Jonas Jerebko
- Kevon Looney
- Jordan Bell (Restricted)
- Damion Lee (Restricted)
- Marcus Derrickson (Restricted)
- Andrew Bogut
Although the Warriors will enter the offseason with 10 free agents they aren’t a team who the Thunder should be actively in discussion with.
Although Golden State has the most top end talent of any team this summer is set to be full of drama and angst for GM Bob Myers. In their perfect world, the Dubs enter as the first team to three-peat since Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers (1990-00-2001-02). Regardless of how they finish (currently in a 2-2 series tie with the Rockets) Myers has two superstar free agents to retain.
Although everyone states Kevin Durant is the priority but with a new arena to pay for the Dubs can ill afford to lose Klay Thompson either. Klay is intrinsically linked to Stephen Curry as one of the Splash Brothers and losing him would be equally (if not more) devastating for the franchise.
All season the speculation of Durant’s future has occupied headlines with most pundits leaning toward him leaving. It might just be that option offers a more enticing headline, however, actions like Durant moving his business to New York continue to fuel the rumor mill.
Given Cousins injury and likely asking price, he falls off the top list. Nor is he an option Presti should desire given his penchant for getting hurt (second consecutive season) and his salary won’t be worth the risk.
There is one intriguing player on the Warriors list which Presti should keep an eye on. That player is Kevon Looney. Although Looney doesn’t check off the main requirement the OKC Thunder have (perimeter shooting) landing him would allow the Thunder to make other moves. With a roster full of superstars and All-Stars Looney’s qualities tend to fall under the radar. Of the Warriors who played over 410 minutes, Looney registered the highest field goal percent (62.5%). His 14.6 offensive rebound percent is tops on the team and to put that number in perspective Steven Adams offensive rebound percentage is 14.7%. Looney also boasts a higher defensive rebound percentage and higher overall total rebound percentage than Adams.
In fact, Looney’s advanced numbers are higher in almost every category than Adams. Granted Looney is playing alongside a bevy of top talents, but adding a player who can adapt to their role at an economical price to allow the team to use the money to fill other gaping roster holes is something Sam Presti needs to consider this summer. We’ll dive in deeper to Looney during T.I.s free agent series, but while the playoffs continue, make a point of watching Looney’s minutes on the court specifically with a view to his ability to defend out to the perimeter.
Notably, I’m one of Steven Adams biggest fans, but when we look at this current roster and the money being spent on the top end his contract is the one which jumps off the page in terms of offering up the freedom to alter the squad and fill very specific holes.