After missing out on LeBron James, the Warriors could pivot to veteran options such as DeMar DeRozan, Kelly Olynyk, or Gabe Vincent, while Bradley Beal is reportedly not on Golden State's radar this offseason.
The Golden State Warriors will now have to pivot to alternative options after losing out on LeBron James.
James announced that he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers, ending weeks of speculation around his next team and removing Golden State from the race for the four-time NBA champion.
Before James made his decision, ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel said on the Clutch Scoops podcast that the Warriors had been holding off on further free agency moves because they still believed there was a path to landing him.
With James now headed to Philadelphia, Golden State's attention could shift toward veteran free agents and minimum-contract targets.
Warriors could pivot to veteran free-agent targets
According to Siegel, the Warriors' next moves were always expected to depend on James' decision.
"They're a team that's waiting word for LeBron, and it will kind of dictate their other moves on minimum contracts," Siegel said.
One name mentioned was Kelly Olynyk, a veteran big man Golden State has reportedly pursued in the past.
"Whether it's a guy that they've pursued heavily for the last few years in Kelly Olynyk," Siegel said. "He's a guy that they've looked to trade for multiple times, and they looked to sign him in free agency before he went with the Spurs last year. Maybe he's a guy that they look to bring in."
Olynyk, 35, would give the Warriors another experienced frontcourt option with shooting, passing, and floor-spacing ability.
Credit AP-SCANPIX
Gabe Vincent, Kevin Love among possible names
Siegel also mentioned Gabe Vincent as a possible backup guard option for Golden State.
"Gabe Vincent is a possibility as a backup guard, a guy that's most likely going to be getting a minimum contract," Siegel said.
Vincent previously built his reputation with the Miami Heat, where he was an important part of the team's run to the 2023 NBA Finals. He later had stops with the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks.
Kevin Love was also brought up as a possible veteran name, though Siegel framed him as someone who could have followed James depending on his destination.
"And then obviously Kevin Love," Siegel said. "He's probably going to follow LeBron wherever he goes."
With James now joining the 76ers, Love's fit with Golden State appears less direct than it would have been in a LeBron-led scenario.
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
DeMar DeRozan could become Warriors' Plan B
The biggest fallback name mentioned for the Warriors was DeMar DeRozan.
"The Warriors, they could look to get DeMar DeRozan as a plan B."
DeRozan remains one of the most proven scorers available on the market and could give Golden State another shot creator if the team decides to add more offensive firepower around Stephen Curry.
However, Siegel stressed that DeRozan's market was still hypothetical at the time, with teams waiting for James' decision before making their next moves.
Now that James has chosen Philadelphia, DeRozan's market could become clearer.
Credit Image – Scanpix
Warriors not linked with Bradley Beal this time
One veteran scorer who does not appear to be connected to Golden State this offseason is Bradley Beal.
Beal had been linked with the Warriors in the past before signing with the LA Clippers, but Siegel said he has not heard Golden State connected to him in the current free-agent cycle.
"I know there's been fans asking about: 'Hey, are the Warriors in on Bradley Beal?'" Siegel said. "They were pursuing him last year before he signed with the Clippers. Could they do so this year?"
"I have not heard that whatsoever that there is any interest from Golden State in Bradley Beal this offseason."
According to Siegel, the Miami Heat are the only team he has personally heard connected to Beal with mutual interest.
"In the case of Bradley Beal, I've personally only heard the Miami Heat having mutual interest with Bradley Beal," Siegel said.
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