In today’s Dub Hub:
- According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors are interested in re-signing unrestricted free agent Kristaps Porzingis at a “reduced rate.”
- Former Warrior Nick Young reflects on Golden State’s 2018 NBA championship run.
- Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals was the most-watched NBA Finals series in the past 28 years.
While most of the offseason attention is currently focused on the upcoming NBA Draft, the end of the NBA Finals also marked the beginning of teams being able to negotiate with their own free agents.
For the Golden State Warriors, that means entering discussions with one of their biggest acquisitions from last season’s trade deadline: 7-foot-2 center Kristaps Porzingis. The veteran big man is set to enter unrestricted free agency this summer, but according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, talks between the Warriors and
Porzingis have reportedly been trending in a positive direction, with “growing momentum” toward a deal to return.
That is part of the equation in their current discussion with impending free agent Kristaps Porzingis, who they have been able to negotiate after the NBA Finals ended. The Warriors, team sources said, want to bring back Porzingis but prefer it to be on a short-term deal at a reduced rate from the $30.7 million he played for last season. There is growing momentum toward a deal to bring Porzingis back, league sources said.
As Slater notes, the Warriors, however, would prefer to retain Porzingis at a lower salary than the $30.7 million he made last season. Given his extensive injury history and the fact that he appeared in just 32 regular-season games last year, a shorter-term prove-it type contract could make sense for both sides.
When healthy, the 30-year-old Latvian big man proved to be a nice fit alongside the Warriors’ core. In 15 games with Golden State, he averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while providing a credible three-point and lob threat from the center position.
The Warriors have several important roster decisions to make this summer, but Porzingis’ free agency could end up being one of the more underrated storylines of the offseason. If the two sides can find common ground on a new deal, Golden State could keep some continuity and retain one of their more intriguing frontcourt pieces heading into next season.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Wednesday, June 17th:
Warriors News:
Everything we know about a pivotal Golden State Warriors offseason | ESPN
During the three weeks of bigger picture conversation that ultimately led Steve Kerr to return as coach of the Golden State Warriors, sources in the front office expressed slight surprise about Kerr’s steadfast agreement that long-term organizational prudence is needed despite what sets up as an urgent final chapter.
Don’t mortgage the future for the present. Don’t throw around first-round picks for marginal upgrades.
“It’s what should’ve been done four years ago,” one high-ranking team source said. “But not now.”
From Jalen Duren to LeBron James to Ayo Dosunmu, the NBA offseason’s Top 25 free agents | The Athletic
He’s likely looking at a one- or two-year deal at this point because of the health questions, and valuations around the non-taxpayer MLE. The Warriors have Bird rights on Porziņģis, and he seems to fit as well there as he would anywhere else; something in the area of two years and $25 million to $30 million seems fair and would put him on a similar timeline to the rest of the Warriors’ vets.
How Steph, KD and 2018 Warriors Beat LeBron’s Cavs in NBA Finals (ft. Nick Young)
NBA News:
Jazz ‘genuinely torn’ over drafting AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer or Darryn Peterson: Sources | The Athletic
The Utah Jazz are “genuinely torn” between selecting AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer or Darryn Peterson one week away from the NBA Draft, league sources told The Athletic.
Dybantsa, Boozer and Peterson are the consensus top three players on the board. The Jazz hold the No. 2 pick while the Washington Wizards hold the top pick, and the Memphis Grizzlies select at No. 3. The Jazz have had Dybantsa and Boozer for private workouts, according to league sources. Peterson canceled his workout this week amid reports that he believes he will be the No. 1 pick, and he hopes the Wizards select him.
Knicks-Spurs was the most watched NBA Finals in 28 years
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Warriors Reacts: Should they trade the pick?
While the Dubs are actively scouting potential players — many signs point to Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg — there’s also the possibility of trading the pick. We all know that the Warriors will be star-hunting this offseason, even if the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors have calmed down significantly.
So we want to know your opinion: should the Warriors trade the pick and add some young — but unproven — talent? Or should they trade it in pursuit of a more win-now player? Let us know!
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
