4 key offseason moves Golden State Warriors absolutely must make
By Mark Powell
The Golden State Warriors lost both play-in matchups to miss the playoffs. Where should they go from here?
Thanks to untimely turnovers all game and a lack of support around their superstar Steph Curry, the Warriors failed to win their final play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Curry’s contract status remains just one offseason question mark on the books for Joe Lacob and Co., and after a day of mourning for a team that was a measly three points away from beating the Lakers just a few short days ago, Golden State will have to look forward.
The return of Klay Thompson — the Robin to Curry’s Batman — will reinstate the Warriors Big 3 as we remember them from past championship runs. But what does that mean for the 2020 core, and a team built solely around Curry?
As shown on Friday night, this team as currently constructed is barely a playoff team, and even that concept is being kind. Tough decisions will be made to satisfy a fanbase that expects better. Play-in tournament or not, losing before the first round of the NBA playoffs is not an option.
4. Re-sign Kent Bazemore to a minimum deal
Golden State has virtually no cap space, which complicate almost every move they could hope to make. But if Kent Bazemore can be brought back at the veteran minimum, it would go a long way in keeping a key leadership piece in place.
Is he a world beater? No. But will Bazemore be a veteran presence and provide the type of depth needed to make a deep playoff run? If the Warriors had snuck through the Play-In Tournament, we’d be seeing that answer in real time.
Bazemore isn’t going to light up a box score or turn in a sizzle reel of incredible plays. But he averaged 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and has shot 41.1% from three-point range on the season, which is the type of supplemental production Golden State would love to bring back — especially to a team that’s getting Klay Thompson back next season.