Forward Markieff Morris showed his value with a 19-point, six-rebound outing in Game 3 of the Finals, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times writes. Morris, who signed with the Lakers after reaching a buyout agreement with the Pistons in February, kept his team in the game with Anthony Davis battling foul issues. Morris, who gave up a $3.3MM player option to join a contender, will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- The Warriors‘ mini-camp reinforced the belief that the current roster is undersized and lacking in athleticism, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. The need a big center, whether they use their lottery pick on James Wiseman or acquire a veteran. They also need more length, physicality and rim protection on the wing, Slater adds.
- Santa Cruz GM Ryan Atkinson has become a key component of the Warriors front office chain, according to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle. His ability to discover overlooked talent has allowed Golden State to build a strong bench, with Juan Toscano-Anderson, Mychal Mulder, Roger Moute a Bidias, Ryan Taylor and Jonathon Simmons among his finds.
- Next season will be chance to evaluate and sort out who fits into new GM Monte McNair’s vision for the Kings, Jason Jones of The Athletic opines. Some veterans with reasonable contracts could being dealt in order to acquire future assets, Jones adds.
I like that stuff when a guy who has been playing for 9 years “shows his value” in one playoff game. Who knew?
GSW shouldn’t get cute. Just take Wiseman. If they want a veteran they have a trade exception and there are dudes off the street that wont get more than vet min and can ball better than Looney. Gasol, Biyombo, Okafor. Small ball centers like Henson, 2 Pat, Morrises.
If the Warriors are smart, they will take LaMelo, assuming he is still available. Steph will turn 33 next March and is no longer capable of playing a full season. He will get regular days off they will need another PG to step in for him with all of the game management that Curry will be getting in his twilight years.
2022 – 2023
Westbrook salary 47 million
Steph curry salary 10 million
Warriors would have 37 million more to spend on another player
I don’t think that’s correct sillivan. I think Curry’s Max has kicked in and it’s around 47 million give or take a few million. Same as Westbrook. Correct me if I’m wrong.
are you actually saying you think Curry will sign for 10 million when he is a free agent in a few years?
Why do you believe that Curry is no longer capable of playing a full season? The guy got hurt, and it is highly likely that he was kept out longer than needed just because the W’s weren’t doing anything. I’m sure you said the same thing about Chris Paul not being able to play a full season as well…
It does make me smile a bit when a 33 year old is being described as in his “twilight years.”
I hear you but Wiseman is such a Gamble also. He only played three games so you really don’t know what you’re getting. I wouldn’t want to be stuck with a Joel embiid who is very talented but kind of a headache also. DeAndre Ayton was the number one pick as a 7-footer and he has had limited impact as far as going deep in the playoffs.
The center position is more of a grunt position now. Rebound block shots that’s all you need to do. Sort of like Zaza pachulia LOL. Or Andrew Bogut. And they have rings to show for it. I’m not keen time taking a center when you can get an exceptional Wing player instead. That’s where the game is at today.
Yea but Ayton only has Booker and that team has been a loser for years. GSW has 3 All Stars and Wiggins. Hes the 5th option. He doesn’t have to be a world beater on offense and hes got the length and ability to defend. Having watched a but of him, he isnt a slow footed center too which bodes well for the uptempo game.
I think they can find a wing like they found other young role players. Undrafted, g-leauge. 2nd round picks. They needs dudes that will do the dirty work, and that doesn’t show on tape in any of the top wings in this draft.
Great points. Makes sense. If they do go ahead and pick Wiseman and keep him I would be excited about the possibilities. 7 ft ethletic Center who’s Young and will be part of the next generation of the Warriors when these old guys pass on , that’s exciting. Can’t wait to see how it plays out.
Yea, GSW being competitive only helps the league as a whole ratings wise too.
I don’t know how old you are, but I am old to remember a lot of “athletic” big men being drafted by Golden State and well let’s just say it didn’t go well.
Ekpe Udoh
Anthony Randolph
Patrick O’Bryant
Ike Diogu
Andris Biedrins
Adonal Foyle
Todd Fuller
Clifford Rozier
Victor Alexander
Even when they were good they had
Festus Ezeli
Damian Jones
That is a lot of “potential” that was left unfulfilled. Every team has flops, but GS was a yearly punch line at the draft before Minnesota let Curry fall into their laps. If I was a long time Warriors fan, I would at the very least be hesitant with a Wiseman pick.
Warriors have 50% players now
5 Focus points
Trade This years 3 picks
Trade next year 5 picks
Portion of 17 million TPE
MLE
Trade Wiggins for an overpay young player
Warriors would be wise to take Wiseman. He can be bench depth for two yrs. They have TE, Wiggins and picks. To get a player or players they want. To me Gordon is a better fit at SF and with Dre.
Yes that would make sense if Wiseman works out. To me it’s such a Gamble. Only time will tell first of all if the Warriors do something like that, and second of all who ever winds up with James Wiseman we’ll see how he turns out in the next couple of years.
I’m glad I’m not an NBA GM even though I act like one on here sometimes LOL. Good post Al.