Fansided

Warriors rumors: Could Golden State add some old friends to the roster?

By Michael Shearer

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is doused with water by Juan Toscano-Anderson #95 of the Golden State Warriors after their win over the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on April 12, 2021 in San Francisco, California. Curry passed Wilt Chamberlain as the Golden State Warriors all-time leading scorer during the first quarter of their game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is doused with water by Juan Toscano-Anderson #95 of the Golden State Warriors after their win over the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on April 12, 2021 in San Francisco, California. Curry passed Wilt Chamberlain as the Golden State Warriors all-time leading scorer during the first quarter of their game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Kent Bazemore
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 06: Stephen Curry #30, Kent Bazemore #26 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after a basket in the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center on May 06, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Warriors free agent target: Kent Bazemore

Bazemore was also at home for the most recent 2022-23 season. He had a 10-year career as a productive role player and served not one but two separate stints with the Golden State Warriors.

Bazemore is a good-vibes locker room guy most famous for being part of Curry’s Under Armor story:

"“A tentative plan was put into motion: Demonstrate what UA could do for a star by proxy, lavish Bazemore with the kind of attention that would earn notice from Curry and other higher-profile players. Or, as Walton puts it, “They sent him a s— ton of gear…” [S]ure enough, an ascendent teammate took notice of the Bazemore shoe deluge. “He was a rookie for us, and he got more gear and boxes in front of his locker every day than anybody else on the team,” Curry says. The gear was ubiquitous around the Warriors’ practice facility; even Golden State staff members were wearing free clothes from the Bazemore largesse.:"

But Bazemore was more than just a pitchman. At his best, he was a prototypical 3-and-D role player. In his most recent year with Golden State, the 2020-21 season, he shot 41 percent from deep and averaged a steal per game.

But Bazemore is a bit undersized, and Gary Payton II has likely filled his defensive niche. His friendship and familiarity with the Warriors’ players and staff will help his case, but only so much. I’d be surprised if Bazemore ended up back with the team.

Warriors free agent target: Juan Toscano-Anderson

Toscano-Anderson, or JTA, is another former Warrior hoping to boomerang back to San Francisco. The 30-year-old spent three seasons with Golden State from 2019-2022 and became a bit of a local favorite. His energetic play and passion for the game were vital parts of a Warriors team that could sometimes lose focus during a long regular season.

JTA is a lanky 6-foot-6, giving him the size to guard multiple positions. The 3-point shot comes and goes, but he’s a solid positional rebounder with a surprisingly sharp passing eye (which, unfortunately, got him in trouble at times — Steve Kerr was constantly berating JTA about turnovers).

However, he had a terrible season with the Lakers and Utah last year, falling out of the rotation in both stops, and the defense can be inconsistent — he tries hard but has a tendency to foul.

Like Bazemore, JTA’s familiarity with the Warriors’ culture and system gives him a leg up. JTA’s size also gives him a little more positional flexibility, which could help.

Although Toscano-Anderson isn’t the sexiest name around, Golden State knows what they’re getting in him. For a 14th man on the roster, they could do a lot worse.

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