The Warriors are going into next season with tons of questions about their roster. The two timelines are suddenly coming to a head after years of the Warriors trying to build for the future and compete for titles at the same time. This has caused some awkward decisions.
It seems in all earnest they still have the two timelines in mind when it comes to roster planning. No matter what happens, this offseason it seems like that will not change. The decision-making will also be in the hands of a new front office regime after Bob Myers decided to leave. Given all the factors at play, here's what the Warriors need to do this offseason.
Moves the Warriors need to make: 3. Give Steve Kerr an extension
You could make an argument that Steve Kerr has been running the wrong offensive system for the last couple of years and his rotations haven't been top-notch. Still, Kerr deserves some security heading into next season. He currently does not have any years on his contract after this coming season.
At this point, it is a bit unreasonable for Joe Lacob to give up on his young players after burning another season of Curry's prime. Steve Kerr is their best coaching option for keeping the window of contention open but continuity can also help keep their young players developing.
In addition, they need to keep Curry happy. He has three more years left on his deal but you really don't want to go down that road with the best player your franchise has ever had. A way to keep Curry happy is to give Steve Kerr a huge long-term extension.
Moves the Warriors need to make: 2. Get Draymond Green or Klay Thompson a long-term extension
Draymond Green is probably the most interesting name in free agency. Players with more talent will be traded and signed this off-season but Green decision will have one of the biggest impacts in the league, assuming he opts out of the last year of his deal in search of one more long-term contract. With the Warriors' tax concerns, it could get complicated for them to keep him long-term.
With the way that Jordan Poole played in the playoffs, they probably regretted giving him the extension over Green. Green has declined in play in the last couple of years but the All-Star is still key to how the Warriors run their offense. If the Warriors want Curry to stay for the rest of his career, extending Green is a good bet to make.
Klay Thompson is the other player that the Warriors should look to extend this offseason. Thompson is a free agent after next season and things could get very ugly. Thompson's play has been declining since he injured his ACL in 2019. Still, Curry will most likely be gone if both Green and Thompson do not get a long-term extension. If one of them does, they have a shot to keep Curry.
With Thompson, paying him a long-term contract might be not a great idea. Still, it would be very smart to offer him at least a three-year deal with heavy money.
If both of these guys leave in the next two summers, things in Golden State could get very weird.
Moves the Warriors need to make: 1. Shop Jordan Poole this summer
The Warriors just signed Poole to an extension before last season but a poor postseason will create doubt about his long-term future with the Warriors. Poole never seemed to be a lead guy on any team even when he was at his peak. Now, even with his stock at its lowest point, the Warriors have to consider moving him.
It is probably unreasonable for the Warriors to trade Poole this summer. Still, it might make sense to know where the market is at. Golden State might be in a situation where they can make one last title run if they are able to keep the core together and refill their roster with assets from a Poole trade.
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