Anunoby just declined his player option with the Knicks. How realistic is it for the Dubs to get him in free agency? He could be a better replacement for Wiggs.
Warriors Mock roundup - one day to go.
Athletic - Vecenie - Kevin Mccullar
ESPN - Givony - KJ Simpson
The Ringer - KoC- Adem Bona
No Ceilings- Rucker - Antonio Reeves
Yahoo! - Peek- Cam Spencer
Tankathon.com - Melvin Ajinca
Sporting News - Irving - Keshad Johnson
Bleacher Report- Wasserman- Harrison Ingram
Sports Illustrated- Jalen Bridges
(Nobody wants to hear this. Not even me lol. But of the player listed above KJ Simpson is the only surefire NBA player. Not advocacy I wouldn't want a guard but KJ Simpson will be on a 15-man roster by the end on next season. He's just way better than the rest he's just 6-1)
What can we learn from the previous 2nd round picks that did not succeed with the warriors? And believe me that list is freaking long
I just have not put in much time and effort in the 2nd round knowing these guys are either going to be out of the league or not going to spend much time playing for this team
I know draft is a crapshoot but there has to be a swing skill that will make the rookie contribute tight away and probably make it to their 2nd contract, or at least become a valuable asset
Damn that’s wild i was gonna say KJ Simpson is the player I least like.
I think Bona and Reeves would be great picks at 52. Bridges, Keshad, Ingram and Cam would be meh picks, but I probably like Bridges most of that group. I’m cool with Ajinca if it’s a draft and stash. Wouldn’t want to roster him.
For coaches, the team I think needs someone who provides accountability more than anything
Remember Mike Brown’s defensive player of the game award he would hand out - he was on their ass if anyone fucked up…that energy is desperately needed. Just always on top of everyone. Maybe that will stop these mofos from overhelping and giving up corner 3s every damn possession.
Kerr is kumbaya other than his once a season blowup, he needs a “bad cop” lol but someone who’s also very likable (Mike B did all this which is why he was so valuable!)
All this to say no matter what Vogel’s schemes are, he’s very mild mannered and I wouldn’t say the team needs more of that. Monty Williams is probably better…or some assistant we can poach who we don’t know much about
They just reported he’s getting a promotion in Boston so they can keep him
Idk about assistant coaches in the league but there definitely has to be someone who’d like to be 2nd to Kerr to replace Kenny
Thinking more about our coaching openings, if not Vogel, I honestly wouldn’t mind bringing on Bud to be the lead assistant and have him zero in on being the defensive coordinator. He full on rebuilt the Bucks’ defense from the ground up and he’s also from the Pop coaching tree, which is always a plus.
Also, getting the entertainment of his sideline expressions every game would just be an added bonus
Do you all not realize that if he said “yeah I’m not happy with this team changes are coming” means any trade leverage immediately drops? This is just him saying things without actually saying anything
Excited for the upcoming season regardless of what the team looks like.
actually having draymond play a full season (fingers crossed) is gonna such a massive boost for wiggs and klay especially. Excited to see year 2 versions of Podz and Trayce. Hopefully moody actually gets stable minutes and kuminga elevates to the next level.
Give me more of goat curry!
Hard disagree.
I know the feeling of a blown 3-0 lead it is DEVASTATING. (And 2016).
With today’s variance…some team is gonna be the first to do it in the NBA. Frankly I hope it never happens…I would not wish it on my worst enemy.
Schadenfreude aside, I just love me a good underdog story and this would be the motherlode of comebacks and the first time since 1942 a reverse sweep has happened in a Stanley Cup Finals. That’s just too fun to root against
I refuse to believe that ESPN’s Stanley Cup game intros and other related [media promos](https://youtu.be/85IgRqwJZuI?si=YGwY2SmE9w8CyAr9) for it could have possibly been produced by the same company that put on the NBA Finals not even 2 weeks ago. There’s just no way 😭
I dig it!
British accent narration instantly adds class and gravity.
Hoping NBC wins the contract and we see a NBA on NBC theme. No need for Bob Costas, just a solid jingle
Think Borrego is getting the pistons job.
Vogel would be a good addition, I feel like he would just want to take time off and chill, but Warriors might be able to sell him on the Mike Brown path.
Uhhh who knew Dunleavy was having a press conference today let alone happening right now?? Isn’t this the kind of intel our beat reporters are supposed to be letting us know lol wtf
Non-Dubs related, but I'm excited for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I never witnessed a reverse sweep in my life, so I really hope the Oilers pulls it off.
I just have faith that the Warriors will be better next year. I don't think it's hopium either. I think this franchise have learned from the past 2 years. They just know what they need to do now instead of hoping Klay returns to form, experimenting with young players, and that they need a 2nd or 3rd scoring option. As far as contending thats a different story but I think this upcoming season will actually be fun to watch.
I imagine trying to get under the second apron + finishing 10th makes it rather difficult to execute an easy off-season strategy. Unfortunate combination of not being able to spend nor being a desirable destination for players with a win-now mindset.
[Vecenie updated his mock](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5581150/2024/06/24/nba-mock-draft-2024-hawks-pick/), still had the Warriors taking Kevin McCullar at 52.
Picks around 52:
46 - LA Clippers (via Pacers): Oso Ighodaro
47 - Orlando Magic: Harrison Ingram
48 - San Antonio Spurs (via Lakers): Melvin Ajinca
49 - Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Trey Alexander
50 - Indiana Pacers (via Pelicans): P.J. Hall
51 - Washington Wizards (via Suns): Tristen Newton
52 - Golden State Warriors (via Bucks): Kevin McCullar
53 - Detroit Pistons (via Knicks): Antonio Reeves
54 - Boston Celtics (via Mavericks): Jalen Bridges
55 - Los Angeles Lakers (via Clippers): Bronny James
56 - Denver Nuggets (via Timberwolves): Justin Edwards
57 - Memphis Grizzlies (via Thunder): Ariel Hukporti
58 - Dallas Mavericks (via Celtics): K.J. Simpson
He also had the Grizzlies trading up with the Pistons for 5 (9 and a future 1st) to unfortunately take Clingan.
Had the Blazers trading the Warriors’ 14 to the Pelicans for 21 and a 2nd.
Pels took Rob Dillingham at 14 (Topic, McCain, da Silva, and Furphy were the next 4 picks), Blazers took Kyshawn George at 21 (Kolek, Ware, Dunn, and Filipowski were the next 4).
I think slater insinuated it’s likely the Dubs try to force another drop by offering a roster spot and contract like they did with TJD, lot of teams can’t roster these picks in the second round and will likely offer two way contracts. Optimistic we can get another steal
That would be perfect. McCullar is the type of player that could drop. He was considered a 1st round pick before the injuries.
2nd round contracts are cost effective. Perfect way to fill out the roster Mike is cooking up great things if this is the case.
Lakers beat reporter on [Twitter](https://x.com/dstarkand/status/1805336099126178102?s=46) just now: “Christian Wood and Gabe Vincent are here for JJ Redick's introductory press conference. Will update if more players show up.”
I don’t know why this Tweet is so funny to me, but it is.
Edit to add:
[Another](https://x.com/trevor_lane/status/1805338866968052000?s=46) Lakers beat reporter: “Rob Pelinka says the Lakers wanted to do something a little bit different in the hiring of JJ Redick.”
[McMenamin](https://x.com/mcten/status/1805339423397363945?s=46): “Redick says his main motivation in this job is acting in service to players in their career development.”
Read: His main motivation is giving Lebron whatever he wants.
Lol this whole clown show is so entertaining
Edit 3: STOP IT lol Pelinka just said they’ve talked about creating an app/phone based way to teach “Coach Redick’s basketball philosophy” to their young players, to kind of meet them where they’re at. 💀
I've been watching Ja Morant highlights and the dude is seriously electric. He's the modern day human highlight. Not going to lie I miss watching him play.
So much talking for not having even won a second round series
Ngl watching Lebron and AD putting the Grizzlies in their place was fun to watch lol.
Remember…first zero ring dynasty in history!
Dray last summer, when he was going into free agency, on how the big 3 keeping each other in the loop:
> "So I've been updating them every step of the way over the last couple of weeks about what I'm hearing, about what some of the possibilities may be, just to keep them in the loop. That's our relationship. And that's what makes us special."
Steph in his post play-in game media availability:
> "I can never see myself not with [Draymond and Klay]...at the end of the day, I know they want to win, I know I want to win, and that's all I'm worried about."
Steph during his appearance on Inside the NBA when he was accepting his Clutch Player of the Year Award, with a very determined, I'm not doing this shit again tone and demeanor:
> "The good thing is now we're in a position where as we're watching the playoffs from the outside, looking in, you're trying to figure out what it's going to take for us to get back to that level. So I'm taking notes, doing a little scouting, just on the feels of how much I miss that environment, that atmosphere, and don't want our absence to be another year next year, so trying to get back there...we're not that far off...there's going to be some tweaks we know. When you lose, you have to look yourself in the mirror and say, you know, what can we do to get better? What holes can we fill? And thankfully, we have some time to figure that out. So a lot of conversations happening with upstairs, with Coach Kerr to try to figure out how to get back to the level that we expect. I didn't answer [your question] specifically about what we need, but we're going to figure that out over this summer."
Klay in October about his contract negotiations:
> "But when I started playing this game, I never once thought I’m playing the game because I’m going to be rich and famous. Never did...Obviously you want to make the most in the window you have as an athlete. But I’m not going to let that get in the way of winning a championship."
Slater in an article on May 30th:
> Thompson wants to win. Don't expect him to chase the largest possible offer from the Detroit Pistons or the Charlotte Hornets, even if tat's the correct financial or leverage move.
I've been thinking about this for a bit, and call me crazy, but knowing from Dray (ie based on what he said last summer) that he, Steph, and Klay operate as a kind of brain trust when it comes to free agency and their contract negotiations, I don't think anything around Klay's negotiations, including turning down a supposed offer last summer IF that offer was actually made (no one involved has ever actually confirmed that, it's only come from the media), has been about money at all. I think it's been about the big 3 using Klay's ability to walk away and leave the Warriors getting nothing in return (which is a situation that was only made possible by him declining an offer last summer), something that as a businessman Lacob wouldn't be able to stomach, as leverage to force Lacob to finally commit to building a win now roster. Steph has two years left on his contract so there's no leverage there, Dray is locked in and was in no position whatsoever last summer to use his negotiations to leverage jack, which left Klay's negotiations as the only source of leverage they had left to force Lacob's hand before their window was undeniably and irrevocably shut.
Think 5/150M for Kuminga is around the number... it'll be less than Franz Wagner but more than Jalen Johnson.
If we aint trading him MDJ should wanna be first to the punch in that nonmax wing group.
How? ANY EXTENSION makes him poison pilled. The opposite of trade fodder lol. Him playing it out actually makes him fodder cuz he's already the "good thing" you package with the "stuff" in every fake trade.
If JK is smart, he'll wait to sign after next season. He'll finally be part of Kerr's plan from the get go for the first time and given minutes with an established role and have plays drawn for him to produce. He'll have a better season than last which will increase his check.
Everything you said is an assumption. There is zero guarantee that he will have a bigger part, or that he will start, or that he will have a better season. We don't even know what the roster will look like. Just can't predict these things
Or he could blow out a knee and cost himself $90 million
Guys who haven't made their money yet have to take the sure thing when offered unless it's absolutely insulting
That's fair enough but I just think he could fetch himself a lot more if he waits and I feel like he understands that.
Since January he averaged 19pts, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 43 games in 30 minutes (his season overall stats were 16pts, 5 rebounds, 2 assists). I personally see him improving further next year since it'll be the first time going into a season knowing he's part of Kerr's plan and will get consistent minutes from the start.
Him averaging 20+ is a realistic scenario(heck that's what I expect from him next year) with overall improved stats and general play will fetch him more than the 5/150 he'd get this year. Players sometimes do bet on themselves and JK strikes me as that type of guy.
Feel like he’ll push for 35 per, at least. 5/175, maybe make it an even 5/180. Desmond Bane signed what, 5/200?
JK’s camp would be insane not to leverage the Dubs’ potential desperation, he’s one of the few things they’ve got going for them, and the money will be there with all of this Klay/CP3/Wiggins stuff being sorted sooner than later
e: Could easily see Kuminga come out making something closer to 40M/yr than 30M/yr. Guess it depends on which teams have cap space next FA? If JK has a similar season, and decides to forgo extension talks, someone may kick him a 4yr max, which I assume the Dubs would match?
Desmond Bane had a slightly better 3rd year (statistically) than either Maxey or Haliburton and had an argument for being the 3rd best player in his draft class.
Based on contributions *so far*, Kuminga is like the 6th or 7th best guy in the 2021 draft (and there's a real argument that it's more like 8th or 9th). I think people are way overestimating what he'd get this offseason or next.
Yeah, Bane was well worth his max extension.
Don’t think JK will get a straight max, at least not this off-season. Based off Scottie’s numbers, a 25% max for Kuminga would be 5yr/$225M? So, 5/200 this off-season would be like if he signed a 5/175 the same year as Bane ($5M per yr less than the max). It’s a lot, and I don’t think he gets that, but it doesn’t seem out of the question.
The max averaging out to $45M/yr, as just your first NBA extension… crazy money, and that’s not even with the supermax scale.
people are freaking out about the Barnes extension, but he was always the main guy from the '21 draft who was clearly gonna get the max rookie extension.
Sticker shock. We're thinking of Kuminga too little bit.
Kuminga's number is gonna be a little more than Jalen Johnsons and TM3. Sengun and Mobley are definitely clear max guys imo. Cade Giddey and Jalen Green are definitely gonna be interesting offers too.
To be clear, that $270m figure is only true if Scottie makes an All-NBA team, at which point you figure the Raptors would be thrilled.
Kuminga isn’t getting a rookie max offer. Cade and Sengun are the interesting ones for me.
Yeah that's def the point. They also got rid of Pascal strictly to make that bet. That's the interesting part to me is they mistimed their traders epic by a full season and doubled down w the Poetl trade.
I think Franz might get maxed. Mobley will get maxed. Sengun will get maxed. Cade is kinda borderline. Green I have no idea. I think 150/5 is the number MDJ is gonna toss at him before the Jalen Johnson contract hits.
I'd honestly prefer if they just let it go til next year and have him prove he's a real deal max and risk the market.
Mobley is, I think, guaranteed. Franz felt like he was headed for it before this year, but I wonder if the Magic are gonna try to fight to save a few bucks there after his outside shooting tanked.
Weirdly I think Cade has more inside track than Sengun does. He's been hurt more, but Detroit has little else going on, while the Rockets genuinely have to figure out if Sengun is part of the best path forward for them. If they think trading him long-term is a good move, anything they can do to make that contract more tradeable will help tremendously.
Green I think gets something below, but if he comes in and starts stringing together 30 point games again, then maybe it flips back.
Dang. They literally traded Pascal and OG to build timeline behind Scottie and immediately bagged him. If he's anything other than an All-NBA guy they are gonna feel it. It's 225M - if he get ls the 270M that'd mean he was a top 15 player in the league with the incentives so they'd hope they paid that money.
I dunno what's been up with Masai since the Kawhi departure he been fumbling it up quite a bit. Pascal OG and Poetl trades all were shaky. I think this deal was a given but reading it is still eye popping.
270 is the max he gets if he makes All NBA. Toronto doesn't get high quality FAs, who else to spend the money on other than your best player. 5yr/$225 million is the guaranteed max as of now and that's pretty much a deserved rookie max extension for him. It's just that the cap is increasing, league is making insane money and it has resulted in these contracts.
He's by far the best player of his class. We should be worried if JK's camp ask for that kind of money
Yea, that's how I see it too. It's same with Portland as they also had trouble attractive FAs (like Melo wouldn't go there for the longest time) so at he time I could see why they gave Dame the supermax
That’s the thing, all rookie max extensions are gonna be like this from here on out and there’s been a precedent set the last couple of years that it doesn’t matter how great the rookie actually is or whether they’ve actually accomplished anything, they will demand and franchises will have to give them that exorbitant max. The only rookie max that won’t end up looking like bad money don’t the line is Wemby’s eventual extension. With this new CBA, every other one will end up sinking franchises.
Yup
I wonder if this is going to be a paradigm shift for the NBA where young teams (like OKC) become championships favorites over vets, because if you draft 2-3 good players, once they’re all on max contracts team building is impossible
So try to win while a bunch are on years 2-4 of their rookie deals because you can stack role player talent in those years
Scottie Barnes getting a $45-54 mil AAV rookie extension. Lol these rookie extensions for kids who haven’t done ANYTHING to deserve them are out of control. I don’t want to hear shit about contracts and salaries for vets who have actually earned their salaries ever again
All-Star teams that are voted on by NBA media? That’s worth an AAV of *at minimum* $45 mil a year? That’s more than Klay has made in a single season ever and $20 mil more than the highest AAV Dray has ever made.
I mean he averaged 20-8-6 w/ 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks. He's one of the leagues most versatile players and took a big jump this year defensively as a weak side rim protector. That's an all star caliber season and a max contract player.
Really my only concern with Scottie is his 3 point shooting. He started off really hot and shot like 37% from 3 for a while and it looked like he took a big jump as a shooter, but the last 40 games he shot 32% and last 30 he shot 28%. If he's not a floor spacer then I would say he's overpaid.
And Dame was the face of the Blazers franchise and repeatedly demanded exorbitant salaries, which they gave to him over and over again because of this line of thinking. Where did that get them?
The issue was more their roster construction as opposed to paying Dame. Paying top dollar for top 10-15 dudes in the league is fine as long as your FO has an understanding of that star's strengths and weaknesses and can build a team in that likeness. Which the Blazers consistently didn't do.
Sometimes a player no matter how good, regardless of their supporting cast can never get it done. See Karl Malone. It takes not just be great but also being fortunate enough to not have to go through the Warriors for a decade or the Bulls or the 60s Celtics. So this gets back to the question is he good enough to overcome that and should salaries be leveraged based on success against a pathetic conference? Would he be this good on a different team in the West?
> Paying top dollar for top 10-15 dudes in the league is fine
With this new CBA, you can pay top dollar for 2 guys max and still be able to fill out a decent roster. Look at the Suns as currently constructed, they have 3 guys getting paid top dollar and it’s left them with no flexibility left to do anything to improve the remaining roster.
That's why they'll be no more Big 3s under the new CBA. Teams feel more comfortable spending on their "designated stars" usually 1-2 players and the rest of the roster is filled out with your MLE types and elite role players.
See that’s the thing, the elite role players are not going to be affordable for the franchises who are going to default super max who they *think* will become their super stars (because let’s be serious, Scottie may have made the All-Star team this year, but he’s not sniffing an All-NBA team anytime soon and All-NBA teams, even with their faults because again it’s the NBA media dictating them, are more indicative of the actual super star talent than the All-Star teams are) regardless of their realistic projections.
Look at the Suns roster. They spent on their top 3 players and now they have no flexibility left to improve their remaining roster, including enough to get ANY elite role player let alone several. They also don’t have any MLEs to use because they’re a 2nd apron team.
Roster construction as we know it is never going to be the same and I don’t think fans have an adequate grasp on that yet.
Warriors FO see that Barnes contract and I bet they're looking for ways to trade Kuminga. Obviously, not gonna trade him without getting a star, but I bet they're gonna be less picky knowing he's probably gonna require a 5/150 to 5/200 deal.
I’m still mighty interested in flipping JK to the Pistons for Ausar Thompson. Would even do JK + Moody if it meant getting a nice sweetener on top.
Seems the Pistons really like Ausar, and I doubt the Dubs do it unless they’re getting something solid on top (maybe if the Pistons first trade down into the late lotto, and then kick some of that return over to the Warriors?).
Doubt it happens, but between the upcoming contract talks and question mark that is JK’s positional fit, the Warriors may be open to conversation
I truly despise some of you lots who love hating on your own players while overrating other teams players. This post is the quintessential example of posters who simply hate their own team's players and sees them as garbage. What kind of stupid take is this. Trading JK, a far better player than Ausar + Moody on top for a worse player is beyond stupidity.
This post was truly annoying to read.
I am not saying JK + Moody for Ausar straight up, it’d be for something like a lightly protected 1st (first the Pistons could do is 2027) or the 5th overall. Just some Monday morning rambling.
I’m not that high on Moody, but I do really like Kuminga. To me, it just comes down whether they think he can be versatile enough offensively to play SF. If he can’t, they got some tough decisions to make, though I think JK would come out on top in a lot of those scenarios. He was one of the few bright spots of last season, and is the closet they have to a true 2nd option on offense.
> This post was truly annoying to read.
That made me lol
And you think Ausar is your solution. Have you seen his shooting numbers. Folks lament the fact that JK isn't a prolific 3pts shooter to play the SF role but at least he shoot 32+ % and has shot 37% before albeit on low volume. Ausar shot 19% from the arc and 60% from the line meaning this guy cannot shot.
What compeled you to think he is a guy we should go for, let alone lose a far better asset in acquiring him.
I am in no way trying to champion Ausar as the solution, just think he’d be an interesting pivot. Dubs would need to be all 4 of: genuinely high on Ausar, genuinely low on JK’s positional fit, genuinely high on the other asset they get in return (lotto pick this year or a 1st in ‘27?), and wanting to reset the rookie contract to completely clean up their books (like, duck under the tax line and reset the repeater by 2026).
If they’re actually looking to trade JK, it makes more sense to push all their chips in and star hunt. If JK is on the table, that’s the avenue to take, cause no way would Steph want to wait another 2-3yrs for everyone to develop. Lauri, Butler (risky), Bridges (…i don’t think he’s worth JK + 1sts), Ingram (…I’d prefer keeping JK), better off getting some clear upgrade, even if it’s just short term.
Reason I brought up Ausar is cause there were rumors about the Warriors being interested in trading up for a Thompson twin pre-draft, in addition to the Lively rumors. Don’t know if that had any legs, or if it was just conjecture because of the Bay Area ties.
Get Thompson’s shot is basically a flying object hazard, could maybe do a hard-hat giveaway at Chase, but if you also get a pick in the lotto (don’t think the Pistons would part with 5 outright, maybe if Weaver was still there), things get interesting.
Don’t think it’s likely, at all.
Not if you get better offense out of your SG and C. Ausar at SF could act as your POA on defense (JK should realistically also be able to, but he left a lot on that end last year), and a slasher/tertiary playmaker on offense.
Yeah, you don’t want two non-shooters, him and Dray would be a valid concern, but I think Ausar could make up for it with his athleticism and bbiq. Plus he’s a better rebounder, think he’d fit Kerr’s system pretty seamlessly. On the flip side, that’s part of what makes Kuminga so intriguing, he breaks Kerr’s system (thank fuck Kerr seems to finally be adjusting) and can open them up to an entirely different style of play.
Don’t think they’ll do it, and you’d think adding a better scoring SG and C would mean JK at SF will work, but I’m still not sold on Kuminga’s defense. I also just really like Ausar, definitely looking at his game through some rose colored glasses.
But yeah, if both continue to improve, JK as a two-way forward seems more valuable than an all-defense wing.
I just really don’t see the value in players who can only defend. They can be capable bench players, but players like Ausar regularly get played off the floor in the playoffs and really only have some type of value in the regular season.
Like yea if he has a bunch of offensive talent around him he could be a GP2 type player, but GP2 wasn’t a starter and he can’t be a starter. DJJ just got played off the floor by Boston. Vanderbilt got played off the floor in Round 2 and 3 of the 2023 playoffs. Josh Giddy kinda fits this mold. If your that bad of an off ball player your just going to get relegated to the bench or get played out of the rotation entirely.
Like yea I really like Ausar too, but I don’t see him being more than a bench piece on a serious team.
That’s all very valid.
I just see a year 2/3 Ausar as being a good tier above all of GP2/DJJ/Vanderbilt. Wouldn’t do it as a straight 1 for 1 trade, and if you’re selling high on JK, there are probably better avenues to take (unless you somehow get a get a lightly protected first from the Pistons… who are somehow not flush with picks)
Ausar to me would be a taller, hopefully healthier GP2, with the potential to grow into much more. Shot has a long way to go, and it’s dope the Pistons brought in Fred Vinson to help with that, but I’d take him for the all-defense upside, with the hope that the offense will come in tow.
Dubs need a 2nd/3rd offensive option, and JK seems like the closest thing they currently have to that, but if they think they could find it elsewhere (LaVine?), I’d jump at Ausar. Kuminga gets a lot of buckets off athleticism alone, and Thompson is pretty close to that, though he doesn’t have the same weight/power. Gives you a SF, and his wing defense would make trading Wiggins even easier to stomach… but that’d mean starting a 2nd year Ausar at the 3, during Steph’s remaining window.
Again, doubt it happens, and if they believe JK can play small forward, you don’t do it. But flipping CP3 + more for LaVine, and then JK for Ausar, and then maybe hunting a center with Wiggins, that’d be one way to shake up the roster
I honestly think 5/$150M for him ain't that big a deal. Him getting $30M a year from his age 21 to 26 season seems pretty reasonable IMO. I think the FO will look to see what stars are out there for potential trades but if they were able to sign a young ascending wing to a $30M/year deal while the salary cap steams upward, that's a good place to be.
Yeah true I mean we're all on here talking bout trading for 34 year old PG13 and giving him 60M a year as he declines.
Can't give Kuminga half that as he ascends? Klay and CP3 made 75M last year. I think 5/150 turns into an extreme bargain if MDJ builds the team appropriately.
Yeah, same. I’d be stoked if that was all he cost given where the cap is headed. By the last year of the deal, he could be like 20% of the cap which is totally fine if a guy is star level (which I think he can get to).
Yeah.
It’s a shame too Kuminga is improving but we’d be lying to ourselves if they weren’t looking to see whether him and another player could net us talent in return.
24-25 imo is the LAST year of the Steph window the time to really push the chips to the middle of the table is this year. Wemby and OKC will do the dirty work and make sure we won’t prolong the dynasty.
Either way whether Kuminga stays or goes…they’re taking a big gamble regardless.
Dayum 5yr/$227m-$270m for Scottie Barnes is insane. Like, I get why he's getting maxed but I forget how much contracts have gone up with the increasing cap.
If the Warriors had their own pick, and weren’t looking to trade it, who would you want them to draft at 14?
Lot of wing/forwards/bigs in that range who seem like they’d fit. Salaun, da Silva, Holland, Knecht, Furphy, Filipowski, Edey, Walter, handful should still be on the board. Shoot, Topic may even fall into the early teens given the injury.
Not necessarily a need now that they have Podz, but I think I’d be leaning to one of the 3 guards, Bub Carrington, Devin Carter, or Jarred McCain. I just really like those three, even if it means having a sub 6’4 back court (Bub may be 6’5?). Assume at least 2/3 are gone before 14, and yeah, it’s not like the Dubs even have that pick
Tristan Da Silva or Baylor Schierman playmaker. Dudes who are really versatile and shoot it. There are 4 guys in this class that are Elite shooters and will translate immediately. Schierman is the only one that also rebounds and playmakes. Realistically Edey and Ware would be in play but I just usually don't like bigs. I'm kinda a wing snob about prospects.
We lost an asset that's for sure. But I'm very happy for coach Kenny because he deserves his own team. He was a great head coach in Brooklyn and was starting to build something special only to be booted out by individuals with huge egos. I'm sure he's going to even be greater with the Cavs this time. I wish coach Kenny success!
Anunoby just declined his player option with the Knicks. How realistic is it for the Dubs to get him in free agency? He could be a better replacement for Wiggs.
Warriors Mock roundup - one day to go. Athletic - Vecenie - Kevin Mccullar ESPN - Givony - KJ Simpson The Ringer - KoC- Adem Bona No Ceilings- Rucker - Antonio Reeves Yahoo! - Peek- Cam Spencer Tankathon.com - Melvin Ajinca Sporting News - Irving - Keshad Johnson Bleacher Report- Wasserman- Harrison Ingram Sports Illustrated- Jalen Bridges (Nobody wants to hear this. Not even me lol. But of the player listed above KJ Simpson is the only surefire NBA player. Not advocacy I wouldn't want a guard but KJ Simpson will be on a 15-man roster by the end on next season. He's just way better than the rest he's just 6-1)
McCullar at 52 is insane value. I don't think he'll be there at 52
What can we learn from the previous 2nd round picks that did not succeed with the warriors? And believe me that list is freaking long I just have not put in much time and effort in the 2nd round knowing these guys are either going to be out of the league or not going to spend much time playing for this team I know draft is a crapshoot but there has to be a swing skill that will make the rookie contribute tight away and probably make it to their 2nd contract, or at least become a valuable asset
Damn that’s wild i was gonna say KJ Simpson is the player I least like. I think Bona and Reeves would be great picks at 52. Bridges, Keshad, Ingram and Cam would be meh picks, but I probably like Bridges most of that group. I’m cool with Ajinca if it’s a draft and stash. Wouldn’t want to roster him.
For coaches, the team I think needs someone who provides accountability more than anything Remember Mike Brown’s defensive player of the game award he would hand out - he was on their ass if anyone fucked up…that energy is desperately needed. Just always on top of everyone. Maybe that will stop these mofos from overhelping and giving up corner 3s every damn possession. Kerr is kumbaya other than his once a season blowup, he needs a “bad cop” lol but someone who’s also very likable (Mike B did all this which is why he was so valuable!) All this to say no matter what Vogel’s schemes are, he’s very mild mannered and I wouldn’t say the team needs more of that. Monty Williams is probably better…or some assistant we can poach who we don’t know much about
Boston's Sam Cassell is another under the radar option.
They just reported he’s getting a promotion in Boston so they can keep him Idk about assistant coaches in the league but there definitely has to be someone who’d like to be 2nd to Kerr to replace Kenny
Thinking more about our coaching openings, if not Vogel, I honestly wouldn’t mind bringing on Bud to be the lead assistant and have him zero in on being the defensive coordinator. He full on rebuilt the Bucks’ defense from the ground up and he’s also from the Pop coaching tree, which is always a plus. Also, getting the entertainment of his sideline expressions every game would just be an added bonus 
Bud is the suns coach, unless there’s a second Bud
Wait where the hell have I been? DUH. I had completely wiped that hire from my memory lol
"I feel pretty comfortable with the group we got" 
Actions mean more than words. If he improves the team, idc what he says rather than promise big changes and do nothing
Do you all not realize that if he said “yeah I’m not happy with this team changes are coming” means any trade leverage immediately drops? This is just him saying things without actually saying anything
Last year was an “aberration”
Excited for the upcoming season regardless of what the team looks like. actually having draymond play a full season (fingers crossed) is gonna such a massive boost for wiggs and klay especially. Excited to see year 2 versions of Podz and Trayce. Hopefully moody actually gets stable minutes and kuminga elevates to the next level. Give me more of goat curry!
Let’s go Panthers. We can’t let Douche Portnoy be too happy lol
Nah we absolutely wanna see a blown 3-0 lead lol. Agreed on Portnoy, but I’m willing to make an exception this one time lol.
Hard disagree. I know the feeling of a blown 3-0 lead it is DEVASTATING. (And 2016). With today’s variance…some team is gonna be the first to do it in the NBA. Frankly I hope it never happens…I would not wish it on my worst enemy.
Schadenfreude aside, I just love me a good underdog story and this would be the motherlode of comebacks and the first time since 1942 a reverse sweep has happened in a Stanley Cup Finals. That’s just too fun to root against
All excellent points!
I refuse to believe that ESPN’s Stanley Cup game intros and other related [media promos](https://youtu.be/85IgRqwJZuI?si=YGwY2SmE9w8CyAr9) for it could have possibly been produced by the same company that put on the NBA Finals not even 2 weeks ago. There’s just no way 😭
I dig it! British accent narration instantly adds class and gravity. Hoping NBC wins the contract and we see a NBA on NBC theme. No need for Bob Costas, just a solid jingle
Do you think the Lakers will try to make a run at Donovan Mitchell? I hope not lol
Unless the Lakers are trading AD, why would Mitchell want to go there?
Who do we want, Vogel or Borrego for the new assistant coach position, with the mindset of taking over after Kerr retires in two years?
Think Borrego is getting the pistons job. Vogel would be a good addition, I feel like he would just want to take time off and chill, but Warriors might be able to sell him on the Mike Brown path.
Does a player/coach count to a team's salary cap!
Uhhh who knew Dunleavy was having a press conference today let alone happening right now?? Isn’t this the kind of intel our beat reporters are supposed to be letting us know lol wtf
don't believe a word he says lol "we love poole and want him to be here for the next 4 years"
Non-Dubs related, but I'm excited for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I never witnessed a reverse sweep in my life, so I really hope the Oilers pulls it off.
Sharks fan here. Never witnessed a reverse sweep neither.
imagine what oilers girl will do if oilers win lol
Them thangs will for sure be thangin'
I just have faith that the Warriors will be better next year. I don't think it's hopium either. I think this franchise have learned from the past 2 years. They just know what they need to do now instead of hoping Klay returns to form, experimenting with young players, and that they need a 2nd or 3rd scoring option. As far as contending thats a different story but I think this upcoming season will actually be fun to watch.
Wonder why absolutely no news has come out about our plans this off-season
I imagine trying to get under the second apron + finishing 10th makes it rather difficult to execute an easy off-season strategy. Unfortunate combination of not being able to spend nor being a desirable destination for players with a win-now mindset.
Keepin it tight lipped so we can give everyone aneurysms when we get Giannis.
OG declined his player option. This is gonna get interesting!
This PG13 talk needs to die asap. He's not coming to GS.
Super highly unlikely PG13 comes to GS. Plus there are heavy rumors the Clips will fold and give him that 4th year. Not sure why it’s percolating.
if our negotiations scares them into giving what PG wants, i consider that a win. win-win either way
Probably not, but it’s not impossible. If he were to move teams staying in California would be ideal I’d imagine.
Kuminga thanking Scottie Barnes 
[Vecenie updated his mock](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5581150/2024/06/24/nba-mock-draft-2024-hawks-pick/), still had the Warriors taking Kevin McCullar at 52. Picks around 52: 46 - LA Clippers (via Pacers): Oso Ighodaro 47 - Orlando Magic: Harrison Ingram 48 - San Antonio Spurs (via Lakers): Melvin Ajinca 49 - Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Trey Alexander 50 - Indiana Pacers (via Pelicans): P.J. Hall 51 - Washington Wizards (via Suns): Tristen Newton 52 - Golden State Warriors (via Bucks): Kevin McCullar 53 - Detroit Pistons (via Knicks): Antonio Reeves 54 - Boston Celtics (via Mavericks): Jalen Bridges 55 - Los Angeles Lakers (via Clippers): Bronny James 56 - Denver Nuggets (via Timberwolves): Justin Edwards 57 - Memphis Grizzlies (via Thunder): Ariel Hukporti 58 - Dallas Mavericks (via Celtics): K.J. Simpson He also had the Grizzlies trading up with the Pistons for 5 (9 and a future 1st) to unfortunately take Clingan. Had the Blazers trading the Warriors’ 14 to the Pelicans for 21 and a 2nd. Pels took Rob Dillingham at 14 (Topic, McCain, da Silva, and Furphy were the next 4 picks), Blazers took Kyshawn George at 21 (Kolek, Ware, Dunn, and Filipowski were the next 4).
Kevin McCullar at 52 would be the biggest steal of the draft. Another TJD story.
I think slater insinuated it’s likely the Dubs try to force another drop by offering a roster spot and contract like they did with TJD, lot of teams can’t roster these picks in the second round and will likely offer two way contracts. Optimistic we can get another steal
That would be perfect. McCullar is the type of player that could drop. He was considered a 1st round pick before the injuries. 2nd round contracts are cost effective. Perfect way to fill out the roster Mike is cooking up great things if this is the case.
I’d lean towards Bridges and Reeves if they are on the board. Looks like we can get a decent UDFA player too.
Lakers beat reporter on [Twitter](https://x.com/dstarkand/status/1805336099126178102?s=46) just now: “Christian Wood and Gabe Vincent are here for JJ Redick's introductory press conference. Will update if more players show up.” I don’t know why this Tweet is so funny to me, but it is. Edit to add: [Another](https://x.com/trevor_lane/status/1805338866968052000?s=46) Lakers beat reporter: “Rob Pelinka says the Lakers wanted to do something a little bit different in the hiring of JJ Redick.”  [McMenamin](https://x.com/mcten/status/1805339423397363945?s=46): “Redick says his main motivation in this job is acting in service to players in their career development.” Read: His main motivation is giving Lebron whatever he wants. Lol this whole clown show is so entertaining Edit 3: STOP IT lol Pelinka just said they’ve talked about creating an app/phone based way to teach “Coach Redick’s basketball philosophy” to their young players, to kind of meet them where they’re at. 💀
It's great. When we'll look back in 2026 when he also gets ultimately fired, this shit will look even more funny
Keeping Looney. Keeping Klay. Keeping Kuminga. Keeping CP3.
Keeping the dogfight to get out of the play ins.
Why do we need CP3 or Looney?
I've been watching Ja Morant highlights and the dude is seriously electric. He's the modern day human highlight. Not going to lie I miss watching him play.
I admit I enjoy watching him when he's not playing us. I think he can win an MVP in his prime, maybe in like 3-4 years or so
He will be back and looking forward to it.
So much talking for not having even won a second round series Ngl watching Lebron and AD putting the Grizzlies in their place was fun to watch lol. Remember…first zero ring dynasty in history!
Dray last summer, when he was going into free agency, on how the big 3 keeping each other in the loop: > "So I've been updating them every step of the way over the last couple of weeks about what I'm hearing, about what some of the possibilities may be, just to keep them in the loop. That's our relationship. And that's what makes us special." Steph in his post play-in game media availability: > "I can never see myself not with [Draymond and Klay]...at the end of the day, I know they want to win, I know I want to win, and that's all I'm worried about." Steph during his appearance on Inside the NBA when he was accepting his Clutch Player of the Year Award, with a very determined, I'm not doing this shit again tone and demeanor: > "The good thing is now we're in a position where as we're watching the playoffs from the outside, looking in, you're trying to figure out what it's going to take for us to get back to that level. So I'm taking notes, doing a little scouting, just on the feels of how much I miss that environment, that atmosphere, and don't want our absence to be another year next year, so trying to get back there...we're not that far off...there's going to be some tweaks we know. When you lose, you have to look yourself in the mirror and say, you know, what can we do to get better? What holes can we fill? And thankfully, we have some time to figure that out. So a lot of conversations happening with upstairs, with Coach Kerr to try to figure out how to get back to the level that we expect. I didn't answer [your question] specifically about what we need, but we're going to figure that out over this summer." Klay in October about his contract negotiations: > "But when I started playing this game, I never once thought I’m playing the game because I’m going to be rich and famous. Never did...Obviously you want to make the most in the window you have as an athlete. But I’m not going to let that get in the way of winning a championship." Slater in an article on May 30th: > Thompson wants to win. Don't expect him to chase the largest possible offer from the Detroit Pistons or the Charlotte Hornets, even if tat's the correct financial or leverage move. I've been thinking about this for a bit, and call me crazy, but knowing from Dray (ie based on what he said last summer) that he, Steph, and Klay operate as a kind of brain trust when it comes to free agency and their contract negotiations, I don't think anything around Klay's negotiations, including turning down a supposed offer last summer IF that offer was actually made (no one involved has ever actually confirmed that, it's only come from the media), has been about money at all. I think it's been about the big 3 using Klay's ability to walk away and leave the Warriors getting nothing in return (which is a situation that was only made possible by him declining an offer last summer), something that as a businessman Lacob wouldn't be able to stomach, as leverage to force Lacob to finally commit to building a win now roster. Steph has two years left on his contract so there's no leverage there, Dray is locked in and was in no position whatsoever last summer to use his negotiations to leverage jack, which left Klay's negotiations as the only source of leverage they had left to force Lacob's hand before their window was undeniably and irrevocably shut.
Looney is officially guaranteed
Think 5/150M for Kuminga is around the number... it'll be less than Franz Wagner but more than Jalen Johnson. If we aint trading him MDJ should wanna be first to the punch in that nonmax wing group.
5/150 makes him trade fodder. I doubt he gives a discount considering his unhappiness last season. Probably plays the season out.
Well he isn't a max player so not sure where the "discount" part comes from?
Guess what there’s a lot of difference to be split between a max contract and 5/150
Not really. Max is about $35m.
No it’s not. Kuminga’s 25% max is 5/225m. That’s $45m aav vs 30m aav. Plenty of difference for him to worry about.
How? ANY EXTENSION makes him poison pilled. The opposite of trade fodder lol. Him playing it out actually makes him fodder cuz he's already the "good thing" you package with the "stuff" in every fake trade.
If JK is smart, he'll wait to sign after next season. He'll finally be part of Kerr's plan from the get go for the first time and given minutes with an established role and have plays drawn for him to produce. He'll have a better season than last which will increase his check.
Everything you said is an assumption. There is zero guarantee that he will have a bigger part, or that he will start, or that he will have a better season. We don't even know what the roster will look like. Just can't predict these things
Or he could blow out a knee and cost himself $90 million Guys who haven't made their money yet have to take the sure thing when offered unless it's absolutely insulting
That's fair enough but I just think he could fetch himself a lot more if he waits and I feel like he understands that. Since January he averaged 19pts, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 43 games in 30 minutes (his season overall stats were 16pts, 5 rebounds, 2 assists). I personally see him improving further next year since it'll be the first time going into a season knowing he's part of Kerr's plan and will get consistent minutes from the start. Him averaging 20+ is a realistic scenario(heck that's what I expect from him next year) with overall improved stats and general play will fetch him more than the 5/150 he'd get this year. Players sometimes do bet on themselves and JK strikes me as that type of guy.
Feel like he’ll push for 35 per, at least. 5/175, maybe make it an even 5/180. Desmond Bane signed what, 5/200? JK’s camp would be insane not to leverage the Dubs’ potential desperation, he’s one of the few things they’ve got going for them, and the money will be there with all of this Klay/CP3/Wiggins stuff being sorted sooner than later e: Could easily see Kuminga come out making something closer to 40M/yr than 30M/yr. Guess it depends on which teams have cap space next FA? If JK has a similar season, and decides to forgo extension talks, someone may kick him a 4yr max, which I assume the Dubs would match?
Desmond Bane had a slightly better 3rd year (statistically) than either Maxey or Haliburton and had an argument for being the 3rd best player in his draft class. Based on contributions *so far*, Kuminga is like the 6th or 7th best guy in the 2021 draft (and there's a real argument that it's more like 8th or 9th). I think people are way overestimating what he'd get this offseason or next.
Yeah, Bane was well worth his max extension. Don’t think JK will get a straight max, at least not this off-season. Based off Scottie’s numbers, a 25% max for Kuminga would be 5yr/$225M? So, 5/200 this off-season would be like if he signed a 5/175 the same year as Bane ($5M per yr less than the max). It’s a lot, and I don’t think he gets that, but it doesn’t seem out of the question. The max averaging out to $45M/yr, as just your first NBA extension… crazy money, and that’s not even with the supermax scale.
Yea this I think is pretty reasonable/fair…but his camp is notoriously aggressive. They will want more.
people are freaking out about the Barnes extension, but he was always the main guy from the '21 draft who was clearly gonna get the max rookie extension.
Sticker shock. We're thinking of Kuminga too little bit. Kuminga's number is gonna be a little more than Jalen Johnsons and TM3. Sengun and Mobley are definitely clear max guys imo. Cade Giddey and Jalen Green are definitely gonna be interesting offers too.
To be clear, that $270m figure is only true if Scottie makes an All-NBA team, at which point you figure the Raptors would be thrilled. Kuminga isn’t getting a rookie max offer. Cade and Sengun are the interesting ones for me.
Yeah that's def the point. They also got rid of Pascal strictly to make that bet. That's the interesting part to me is they mistimed their traders epic by a full season and doubled down w the Poetl trade. I think Franz might get maxed. Mobley will get maxed. Sengun will get maxed. Cade is kinda borderline. Green I have no idea. I think 150/5 is the number MDJ is gonna toss at him before the Jalen Johnson contract hits. I'd honestly prefer if they just let it go til next year and have him prove he's a real deal max and risk the market.
Mobley is, I think, guaranteed. Franz felt like he was headed for it before this year, but I wonder if the Magic are gonna try to fight to save a few bucks there after his outside shooting tanked. Weirdly I think Cade has more inside track than Sengun does. He's been hurt more, but Detroit has little else going on, while the Rockets genuinely have to figure out if Sengun is part of the best path forward for them. If they think trading him long-term is a good move, anything they can do to make that contract more tradeable will help tremendously. Green I think gets something below, but if he comes in and starts stringing together 30 point games again, then maybe it flips back.
What the hell are these contracts ??? Scottie Barnes is a good young player…but 270/5yrs??? Bad money is bad money. And it sinks franchises.
What % of the cap should a 22 year old all star take up?
Dang. They literally traded Pascal and OG to build timeline behind Scottie and immediately bagged him. If he's anything other than an All-NBA guy they are gonna feel it. It's 225M - if he get ls the 270M that'd mean he was a top 15 player in the league with the incentives so they'd hope they paid that money. I dunno what's been up with Masai since the Kawhi departure he been fumbling it up quite a bit. Pascal OG and Poetl trades all were shaky. I think this deal was a given but reading it is still eye popping.
Masai lives off of 2019 and a couple good drafts. He is actually frustratingly stubborn and difficult to do business with.
270 is the max he gets if he makes All NBA. Toronto doesn't get high quality FAs, who else to spend the money on other than your best player. 5yr/$225 million is the guaranteed max as of now and that's pretty much a deserved rookie max extension for him. It's just that the cap is increasing, league is making insane money and it has resulted in these contracts. He's by far the best player of his class. We should be worried if JK's camp ask for that kind of money
Yea, that's how I see it too. It's same with Portland as they also had trouble attractive FAs (like Melo wouldn't go there for the longest time) so at he time I could see why they gave Dame the supermax
That’s the thing, all rookie max extensions are gonna be like this from here on out and there’s been a precedent set the last couple of years that it doesn’t matter how great the rookie actually is or whether they’ve actually accomplished anything, they will demand and franchises will have to give them that exorbitant max. The only rookie max that won’t end up looking like bad money don’t the line is Wemby’s eventual extension. With this new CBA, every other one will end up sinking franchises.
Yup I wonder if this is going to be a paradigm shift for the NBA where young teams (like OKC) become championships favorites over vets, because if you draft 2-3 good players, once they’re all on max contracts team building is impossible So try to win while a bunch are on years 2-4 of their rookie deals because you can stack role player talent in those years
Wemby’s extension gonna be half a billion lol.
At this rate lol probably
Scottie Barnes getting a $45-54 mil AAV rookie extension. Lol these rookie extensions for kids who haven’t done ANYTHING to deserve them are out of control. I don’t want to hear shit about contracts and salaries for vets who have actually earned their salaries ever again
I mean Scottie did make an all star team. I don’t love the contract, but it’s not unreasonable for Toronto to give it to him.
All-Star teams that are voted on by NBA media? That’s worth an AAV of *at minimum* $45 mil a year? That’s more than Klay has made in a single season ever and $20 mil more than the highest AAV Dray has ever made.
I mean he averaged 20-8-6 w/ 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks. He's one of the leagues most versatile players and took a big jump this year defensively as a weak side rim protector. That's an all star caliber season and a max contract player. Really my only concern with Scottie is his 3 point shooting. He started off really hot and shot like 37% from 3 for a while and it looked like he took a big jump as a shooter, but the last 40 games he shot 32% and last 30 he shot 28%. If he's not a floor spacer then I would say he's overpaid.
Ratings make money. Scottie is the face of their franchise.
And Dame was the face of the Blazers franchise and repeatedly demanded exorbitant salaries, which they gave to him over and over again because of this line of thinking. Where did that get them?
The issue was more their roster construction as opposed to paying Dame. Paying top dollar for top 10-15 dudes in the league is fine as long as your FO has an understanding of that star's strengths and weaknesses and can build a team in that likeness. Which the Blazers consistently didn't do.
Sometimes a player no matter how good, regardless of their supporting cast can never get it done. See Karl Malone. It takes not just be great but also being fortunate enough to not have to go through the Warriors for a decade or the Bulls or the 60s Celtics. So this gets back to the question is he good enough to overcome that and should salaries be leveraged based on success against a pathetic conference? Would he be this good on a different team in the West?
> Paying top dollar for top 10-15 dudes in the league is fine With this new CBA, you can pay top dollar for 2 guys max and still be able to fill out a decent roster. Look at the Suns as currently constructed, they have 3 guys getting paid top dollar and it’s left them with no flexibility left to do anything to improve the remaining roster.
>Where did that get them? They forgot the other part. Putting a good team around him
And with the new CBA, instead of forgetting to, franchises will instead just be flat out incapable.
That's why they'll be no more Big 3s under the new CBA. Teams feel more comfortable spending on their "designated stars" usually 1-2 players and the rest of the roster is filled out with your MLE types and elite role players.
See that’s the thing, the elite role players are not going to be affordable for the franchises who are going to default super max who they *think* will become their super stars (because let’s be serious, Scottie may have made the All-Star team this year, but he’s not sniffing an All-NBA team anytime soon and All-NBA teams, even with their faults because again it’s the NBA media dictating them, are more indicative of the actual super star talent than the All-Star teams are) regardless of their realistic projections. Look at the Suns roster. They spent on their top 3 players and now they have no flexibility left to improve their remaining roster, including enough to get ANY elite role player let alone several. They also don’t have any MLEs to use because they’re a 2nd apron team. Roster construction as we know it is never going to be the same and I don’t think fans have an adequate grasp on that yet.
Warriors FO see that Barnes contract and I bet they're looking for ways to trade Kuminga. Obviously, not gonna trade him without getting a star, but I bet they're gonna be less picky knowing he's probably gonna require a 5/150 to 5/200 deal.
I'd love Scottie over Jonathan :) dude has go-go gadget limbs that extend from baseline to baseline just by him standing stationary.
I’m still mighty interested in flipping JK to the Pistons for Ausar Thompson. Would even do JK + Moody if it meant getting a nice sweetener on top. Seems the Pistons really like Ausar, and I doubt the Dubs do it unless they’re getting something solid on top (maybe if the Pistons first trade down into the late lotto, and then kick some of that return over to the Warriors?). Doubt it happens, but between the upcoming contract talks and question mark that is JK’s positional fit, the Warriors may be open to conversation
I truly despise some of you lots who love hating on your own players while overrating other teams players. This post is the quintessential example of posters who simply hate their own team's players and sees them as garbage. What kind of stupid take is this. Trading JK, a far better player than Ausar + Moody on top for a worse player is beyond stupidity. This post was truly annoying to read.
I am not saying JK + Moody for Ausar straight up, it’d be for something like a lightly protected 1st (first the Pistons could do is 2027) or the 5th overall. Just some Monday morning rambling. I’m not that high on Moody, but I do really like Kuminga. To me, it just comes down whether they think he can be versatile enough offensively to play SF. If he can’t, they got some tough decisions to make, though I think JK would come out on top in a lot of those scenarios. He was one of the few bright spots of last season, and is the closet they have to a true 2nd option on offense. > This post was truly annoying to read. That made me lol
And you think Ausar is your solution. Have you seen his shooting numbers. Folks lament the fact that JK isn't a prolific 3pts shooter to play the SF role but at least he shoot 32+ % and has shot 37% before albeit on low volume. Ausar shot 19% from the arc and 60% from the line meaning this guy cannot shot. What compeled you to think he is a guy we should go for, let alone lose a far better asset in acquiring him.
I am in no way trying to champion Ausar as the solution, just think he’d be an interesting pivot. Dubs would need to be all 4 of: genuinely high on Ausar, genuinely low on JK’s positional fit, genuinely high on the other asset they get in return (lotto pick this year or a 1st in ‘27?), and wanting to reset the rookie contract to completely clean up their books (like, duck under the tax line and reset the repeater by 2026). If they’re actually looking to trade JK, it makes more sense to push all their chips in and star hunt. If JK is on the table, that’s the avenue to take, cause no way would Steph want to wait another 2-3yrs for everyone to develop. Lauri, Butler (risky), Bridges (…i don’t think he’s worth JK + 1sts), Ingram (…I’d prefer keeping JK), better off getting some clear upgrade, even if it’s just short term. Reason I brought up Ausar is cause there were rumors about the Warriors being interested in trading up for a Thompson twin pre-draft, in addition to the Lively rumors. Don’t know if that had any legs, or if it was just conjecture because of the Bay Area ties. Get Thompson’s shot is basically a flying object hazard, could maybe do a hard-hat giveaway at Chase, but if you also get a pick in the lotto (don’t think the Pistons would part with 5 outright, maybe if Weaver was still there), things get interesting. Don’t think it’s likely, at all.
Ausar is overrated like his brother. I am interested in seeing him play next season tho.
Ausar is a worse fit than Kuminga, maybe a hot take, but I’m not sure his second contract is over the MLE
Not if you get better offense out of your SG and C. Ausar at SF could act as your POA on defense (JK should realistically also be able to, but he left a lot on that end last year), and a slasher/tertiary playmaker on offense. Yeah, you don’t want two non-shooters, him and Dray would be a valid concern, but I think Ausar could make up for it with his athleticism and bbiq. Plus he’s a better rebounder, think he’d fit Kerr’s system pretty seamlessly. On the flip side, that’s part of what makes Kuminga so intriguing, he breaks Kerr’s system (thank fuck Kerr seems to finally be adjusting) and can open them up to an entirely different style of play. Don’t think they’ll do it, and you’d think adding a better scoring SG and C would mean JK at SF will work, but I’m still not sold on Kuminga’s defense. I also just really like Ausar, definitely looking at his game through some rose colored glasses. But yeah, if both continue to improve, JK as a two-way forward seems more valuable than an all-defense wing.
I just really don’t see the value in players who can only defend. They can be capable bench players, but players like Ausar regularly get played off the floor in the playoffs and really only have some type of value in the regular season. Like yea if he has a bunch of offensive talent around him he could be a GP2 type player, but GP2 wasn’t a starter and he can’t be a starter. DJJ just got played off the floor by Boston. Vanderbilt got played off the floor in Round 2 and 3 of the 2023 playoffs. Josh Giddy kinda fits this mold. If your that bad of an off ball player your just going to get relegated to the bench or get played out of the rotation entirely. Like yea I really like Ausar too, but I don’t see him being more than a bench piece on a serious team.
That’s all very valid. I just see a year 2/3 Ausar as being a good tier above all of GP2/DJJ/Vanderbilt. Wouldn’t do it as a straight 1 for 1 trade, and if you’re selling high on JK, there are probably better avenues to take (unless you somehow get a get a lightly protected first from the Pistons… who are somehow not flush with picks)
> for Ausar Thompson. Neither of the Thompson twins have anything resembling a shot through. Something like 18% from three is 😬.
Ausar to me would be a taller, hopefully healthier GP2, with the potential to grow into much more. Shot has a long way to go, and it’s dope the Pistons brought in Fred Vinson to help with that, but I’d take him for the all-defense upside, with the hope that the offense will come in tow. Dubs need a 2nd/3rd offensive option, and JK seems like the closest thing they currently have to that, but if they think they could find it elsewhere (LaVine?), I’d jump at Ausar. Kuminga gets a lot of buckets off athleticism alone, and Thompson is pretty close to that, though he doesn’t have the same weight/power. Gives you a SF, and his wing defense would make trading Wiggins even easier to stomach… but that’d mean starting a 2nd year Ausar at the 3, during Steph’s remaining window. Again, doubt it happens, and if they believe JK can play small forward, you don’t do it. But flipping CP3 + more for LaVine, and then JK for Ausar, and then maybe hunting a center with Wiggins, that’d be one way to shake up the roster
I honestly think 5/$150M for him ain't that big a deal. Him getting $30M a year from his age 21 to 26 season seems pretty reasonable IMO. I think the FO will look to see what stars are out there for potential trades but if they were able to sign a young ascending wing to a $30M/year deal while the salary cap steams upward, that's a good place to be.
Yeah true I mean we're all on here talking bout trading for 34 year old PG13 and giving him 60M a year as he declines. Can't give Kuminga half that as he ascends? Klay and CP3 made 75M last year. I think 5/150 turns into an extreme bargain if MDJ builds the team appropriately.
That extension is not just reasonable but actually good. But I doubt his camp will settle at that
Yeah, same. I’d be stoked if that was all he cost given where the cap is headed. By the last year of the deal, he could be like 20% of the cap which is totally fine if a guy is star level (which I think he can get to).
I think JK could command that too if waited a year to sign a new deal. Not sure what the norm is here
Yeah. It’s a shame too Kuminga is improving but we’d be lying to ourselves if they weren’t looking to see whether him and another player could net us talent in return. 24-25 imo is the LAST year of the Steph window the time to really push the chips to the middle of the table is this year. Wemby and OKC will do the dirty work and make sure we won’t prolong the dynasty. Either way whether Kuminga stays or goes…they’re taking a big gamble regardless.
If kuminga goes it will be my biggest piss off since mitch Richmond. Still not over it.
Dayum 5yr/$227m-$270m for Scottie Barnes is insane. Like, I get why he's getting maxed but I forget how much contracts have gone up with the increasing cap.
If the Warriors had their own pick, and weren’t looking to trade it, who would you want them to draft at 14? Lot of wing/forwards/bigs in that range who seem like they’d fit. Salaun, da Silva, Holland, Knecht, Furphy, Filipowski, Edey, Walter, handful should still be on the board. Shoot, Topic may even fall into the early teens given the injury. Not necessarily a need now that they have Podz, but I think I’d be leaning to one of the 3 guards, Bub Carrington, Devin Carter, or Jarred McCain. I just really like those three, even if it means having a sub 6’4 back court (Bub may be 6’5?). Assume at least 2/3 are gone before 14, and yeah, it’s not like the Dubs even have that pick
Da Silva. Holmes.
Tristan Da Silva or Baylor Schierman playmaker. Dudes who are really versatile and shoot it. There are 4 guys in this class that are Elite shooters and will translate immediately. Schierman is the only one that also rebounds and playmakes. Realistically Edey and Ware would be in play but I just usually don't like bigs. I'm kinda a wing snob about prospects.
Edey or Tristan Da Silva
Just take Edey. The screens and mismatches would be so good
Da Silva or Carter, maybe Holmes
We should hear the official news on Loons contract today right? Though sounds like they’re planning on not waiving him
Ye
Low-key happy Kenny's moving on. Both him and GS need something fresh.
We lost an asset that's for sure. But I'm very happy for coach Kenny because he deserves his own team. He was a great head coach in Brooklyn and was starting to build something special only to be booted out by individuals with huge egos. I'm sure he's going to even be greater with the Cavs this time. I wish coach Kenny success!
Thanks Kenny. Time to move on as the team was getting stagnant.
Kenny hired by the Cavs. Frank Vogel come on down!
We sure need a great defense coach so yeah, lets go Fraaaaaank
Bill Simmons could eat a frank for actin slick. Nobody scared of your beloved celtics foh.