The most important decision of the Warriors’ offseason could be whether to re-sign free agent big man Kristaps Porzingis or to free up enough money to use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, writes Keith Smith of Spotrac. Porzingis was productive when he played this season, but he was only available for 15 games after being acquired from Atlanta at the trade deadline. Smith suggests a short-term deal if Golden State decides to keep him, something in the neighborhood of $50MM over two years.
However, parting with some salary could enable the Warriors to use the NTMLE, which is projected to be worth a little over $15MM next season. Smith theorizes that could be enough to lure LeBron James if he decides to leave the Lakers this summer and doesn’t want to settle for a salary that’s at or near the veteran’s minimum. Smith mentions a few other free agents who might be available in that price range, including John Collins, Rui Hachimura, CJ McCollum, Anfernee Simons and Khris Middleton.
Smith expects Draymond Green to turn down his $27.7MM player option for a longer deal, but not at a huge discount. Smith proposes around $75MM over three seasons, with either a partial guarantee or a team option on the final year. Al Horford ($5.9MM) and De’Anthony Melton ($3.5MM) also have player options that Smith believes they’ll exercise because neither is likely to earn more in free agency.
There’s more on the Warriors:
- A potential rookie scale extension for Brandin Podziemski is another order of business for the summer, Smith adds. Podziemski hasn’t become a star during his three years with the team, but he’s steadily improved and has value as a passer and rebounder as well as a scorer. Smith advises the Warriors to make the deal if they can lock up Podziemski for around $64MM over four seasons. Otherwise, they should wait and negotiate with him as a restricted free agent next summer.
- Michigan State center Carson Cooper, who worked out for the Warriors this week, patterns parts of his game after Green and believes he would be a good fit in Golden State, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle relays in a subscriber-only story. “How he played, the way he can impact the game is kind of how I feel I can impact the game a little bit,” Cooper said. “I play hard-nosed defense, get shooters open, give them the ball, work on the (dribble handoffs), facilitate, find cutters and passing and just be a solid player.”
- Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required) points to Simons, Ayo Dosunmu, Jaxson Hayes, Josh Okogie, and Coby White as free agents who could add some youth and athleticism to the Warriors’ roster.
$25M for Porzingis is way too much. That’s over a million dollars per healthy appearance.
Unfortunate, but true. He’s averaged 49 regular season games in the last five seasons. Not enough for that kind of money
From what came out of warriors camp its no done deal for KP. They want available players not injury prone like last year. They will low ball him and there is a chance he might retire. If Horford comes back KP is gone.
Three more seasons for Draymond is what I took from this. Oouch.
not happening. Just another rumor. maybe 2 years but not 3 years.
I would not commit to Dray like that. Just one more season. Warriors need to start turning the page.
What is Smith smoking? Podz 4yrs/$64? Moody is equal to or better than Podz. Moody got 4yrs/$52.
Lebron on a minimum. Maybe.
Was Cooper any good on the workout?
I would be looking at trading Podz for some draft picks. With Spurs beating OKC the draft gets a little bit more crazy. I think they let Podz be a RFA next year. That is when their money opens up without Butler contract on the books.