Champion Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers has announced that the franchise plans to bring back the full roster if possible. However, this also requires the willingness of the relevant players.
“Free agency, especially for players who are unrestricted, is only partially in our hands,” Myers explained in a news conference at the end of the season. “I hope the players will give us the opportunity to respond to an offer. They don’t have to, they don’t owe us. But that’s what happens when you win and create a good working environment.”
In addition to the two Restricted Free Agents Chris Chiozza and Quindarry Weatherspoon, seven players will become Unrestricted Free Agents: Kevon Looney, Otto Porter Jr., Nemanja Bjelica, Andre Iguodala, Damion Lee, Gary Payton II and Juan Toscano-Anderson. In the cases of Looney, Porter and Payton in particular, there should be great interest in keeping them on the team.
“Our goal is to bring all the guys back and do it again. They were all great in different ways. A lot of free agents had great moments in the finals.” Planning for the future is also a “great priority” for Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole. Both could extend their contracts, which expire after the coming season. While Wiggins is still due 33.6m, Poole can be kept for just 3.9m thanks to a team option. Poole has a deadline of October 17th.
Regarding the draft, in which the Warriors have picks 28, 50, and 51, Myers tends to pick the best players available. Should the squad then be unbalanced, free agency still has the opportunity to correct this. However, financial reasons would not play a role in whether Golden State might still give up picks. “Our payroll is the highest in the league anyway, second place isn’t even close.” That will change over time, but owner Joe Lacob is all about winning.
