Pacific 2019 NBA Free Agency Primer: Division in greatest flux

Golden State Warriors

Situation Entering Offseason:

To say the dynamics of free agency changed all within a few days would be the grossest understatement of the season. When Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson were both felled by injuries during the NBA finals it meant two of the top five free agents of this offseason could potentially be viewed differently than prior to their injuries.

Kevin Durant is likely to miss at least a year and likely will need another year to return to his dominance atop the Association (if that’s possible). Still, as any analyst will tell you 90 percent KD is still better than the majority of his peers.

Klay’s injury won’t keep him out as long so the thinking is he should return sometime in the Spring. And, while Klay has shown a propensity for quick recovery the Warriors (should he stay) need to exercise caution in not rushing him back to the court.

The newest rumors have Klay open to meetings with both LA teams, however, this feels more like a play to ensure he gets the max deal, so don’t be surprised if 6:00 p.m. EST Sunday we hear the Warriors have extended a max, five year deal to Klay. With the new arena opening next year the Dubs simply can’t afford to lose a cornerstone player who with Steph will always be cited as the duo who kickstarted the Warriors era of dominance.

Salary:

Cap Space: $ (70,201,746.00)
Floor Space: $ 28,411,540.00
Max Space: $ 20,532,884.00
Projected Space: $ (70,201,746.00)

*as per Keith Smith of Real GM

Key free agents to re-sign

Clearly, both Durant and Thompson are priorities. The Warriors can’t afford to not come correct. Whether the medical team got it wrong or right isn’t the issue. Rather, it’s the impression it would leave with other players.

There are mixed opinions regarding whether the injury has switched Durant’s thinking about leaving. He’s opted out of his contract to ensure he signs either a five year max deal with the Dubs or a four year max deal elsewhere.

The team who was rumored to have the advantage was the Knicks, but the Nets are equally compelling especially if KD wants to unite with buddy Kyrie Irving.

DeMarcus Cousins is another free agent who’ll likely receive offers immediately (rumors of the Knicks abound) with at least double what the Dubs can afford to extend. Therefore, it’s a good bet he’ll be in a new jersey next season and odds are in the Eastern Conference.

From my perspective, the player the Warriors have to lock down is Kevon Looney who demonstrated grit and toughness playing through the rib injury. If you’ve ever pulled any muscles in that area than you’re familiar with the pain – it hurts to breathe even. So, big time kudos to Looney for even getting on the court.

However, free agency shakes out for the Warriors, they will not be the same roster of the past few seasons, but you can be sure their goal is to retain the trio of Durant, Thompson, and Looney.

If the Warriors sign both or one of KD and Klay they’ll already be in the luxury and since they are repeat offenders of the luxury tax their annual salary could balloon to over $300 million.

As they say, there is a price to pay for greatness and with the move to the Chase Center, it appears the Dubs will pay the price. The question is whether all the stars will accept.

2019 Roster Depth:

• Stephen Curry
• Jacob Evans
• Draymond Green
• Andre Iguodala
• Damian Jones
• Shaun Livingston
• Alfonzo McKinnie

Draft Picks:

• Jordan Poole
• Alen Smailagic
• Eric Paschall

 2019 free agents

Kevin Durant (Officially opted out)
Klay Thompson
DeMarcus Cousins
Quinn Cook
Jonas Jerebko
Kevon Looney
Jordan Bell (Restricted)
Damion Lee (Restricted)
Marcus Derrickson (Restricted)
Andrew Bogut

2020 free agents

Draymond Green
Andre Iguodala
Shaun Livingston
Damian Jones (Restricted)
Alfonzo McKinnie (Restricted)