After celebrating their title as they should, the Warriors will now have to manage an offseason with high stakes for the franchise. Starting with the file of a future free agent, whose immense value should attract many courtiers!
Logic has always dictated that the champion teams renew a good part of the group which allowed them to win the title the following year. The Warriors shouldn’t seek to prove history wrong. Barring an earthquake, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green should start the next campaign at Golden State. On the other hand, their supporting cast could be turned upside down.
Indeed, several additional players could pack their bags this summer, without necessarily pleasing the leaders of the Dubs. Thus, Andrew Wiggins could be traded in the coming weeks for fear that he will leave the franchise as a free agent in a year. At the same time, other future free agents will have the opportunity this summer to join another franchise… much to Steve Kerr’s dismay.
Kevon Looney, the unremovable asset of the Warriors
Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., Nemanja Bjelica: all minimum contract holders, they could pack their bags in the coming days, having far exceeded expectations in the Bay. Same observation for Kevon Looney, whose contribution to the Warriors racket has proved invaluable, and which could allow him to scrape an annual salary of 7 to 8 million dollars on the market!
However, Kerr does not intend to let his pivot slip away so easily. In his last press conference, the manager made it clear that his departure would leave an irreparable hole in his rotation:
He has been very good for years, but this season in particular he has improved enormously, to the point of becoming irreplaceable for us. He’s played every game, and he’s a player we rely on.
Progress that has also been noted other teams who would like to attract him in their nets at the opening of the free agency. No wonder, given Kerr’s glowing portrait of his big man:
He is a pivot who has the DNA of a champion and a modern defender. He is able to switch, and that’s what you need in the playoffs. Seven years ago he was the 30th pick in the Draft, and to see how far he’s come, how hard he’s worked, and how much of a leader he’s become for our team… That’s a major part of our success.
The technician therefore dreams of being able to have him under his command again next year, and has sent a clear message to his superiors so that this becomes reality!
We want him to come back with us. We all hope that he will receive a very good contract, and we will cross our fingers that we are the ones who offer him.
Shadow soldier of the Warriors, Kevon Looney is nonetheless highly appreciated within the franchise. Steve Kerr even goes so far as to consider him irreplaceable, and pleads for the front office of Golden State to pull out the checkbook to keep him!
