JUST IN: New Update on Potential Golden State Warriors Trade for $158M Star

September 4, 2024 Kerry Will NBA 0

The Golden State Warriors, despite having star player Steph Curry, have struggled to remain a formidable contender since their NBA championship win in 2022. Some might argue that the championship team was not at the level of a typical contender in today’s NBA, but Curry’s exceptional talent, along with crucial contributions from key role players, enabled them to secure the title.

Since that victory, the Warriors have faced setbacks, being eliminated in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023 and failing to qualify for the playoffs in 2024. As they trend downward, the team has not made any significant roster changes to regain their competitive edge.

Monte Poole from NBC Sports Bay Area recently provided insights into the Warriors’ current strategy. He noted, “In the eight years since [Kevin Durant] departed, the Oubre deal is the only individual move made under the theory that it alone would be enough to keep the Warriors among the contenders. Every move since, including the addition of Chris Paul last summer, was made to supplement the roster rather than expand its core.”

According to Monte Poole, the unsuccessful Kelly Oubre experience continues to influence the Warriors’ approach to transactions. Poole noted, “Much of that approach is tied to the Oubre experience.” The Warriors are now more cautious, unwilling to compromise their financial stability, surrender numerous draft picks, or alter their roster for players who lack a clear consensus. For instance, Brandon Ingram is one such player who, according to sources, does not meet this criterion. Consequently, any possibility of him joining the Warriors is extremely slim.

Brandon Ingram is not viewed as being on the same level as Paul George or Lauri Markkanen, two players that the Golden State Warriors reportedly targeted this offseason. At this point in their timeline, Ingram is not the type of player the Warriors are willing to trade for.

As Ingram enters the final year of his five-year, $158 million contract, his market value is expected to be intriguing.

Golden State Warriors NBA Champion Reacts to Former Teammate’s Big News.

The Oklahoma City Thunder concluded last season as the top team in the Western Conference standings, but their playoff journey ended with a loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals. Despite not advancing as far as they had hoped, the Thunder had a strong season that they aim to build upon next year.

This offseason, they bolstered their roster by acquiring two-time All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso. Additionally, they made a strategic move by trading Josh Giddey to Chicago, as he was not an ideal fit for their starting lineup, thereby enhancing their already talented roster.

 

Caruso’s engagement news received congratulatory messages from several current NBA players, including Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II. The 28-year-old guard, who won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020-21, is known for his strong defensive skills and is expected to make a significant impact on the Thunder’s roster next season.

Gary Payton II won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022 and is currently in his second stint with the team, having briefly played for the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2022-23 NBA season. During the 2017-18 season, Payton played briefly with Alex Caruso, appearing in 11 games for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite his inconsistent availability, Payton has proven to be a highly productive player when he is healthy, showcasing his elite role-player abilities.

Gary Payton II has exercised his $9.1 million player option to remain with the Golden State Warriors for the 2024-25 season. This decision keeps him on the final year of the three-year, $26.1 million contract he originally signed with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022 before being traded back to the Warriors.

By opting in, Payton secures his salary for next season and avoids the uncertainty of free agency. However, his expiring contract could also make him a valuable trade asset for the Warriors as they look to retool their roster and reduce salary.

When healthy, Payton has proven to be a crucial defensive stopper and energetic finisher for the Warriors. His net rating of 5.8 last season was the second-best on the team, and he provided a cumulative plus-83 in his 680 minutes on the court. If he can stay on the floor and avoid the injuries that limited him to just 44 games in 2023-24, Payton should have ample opportunity to make an impact in key minutes for Golden State next season.

 

Steph Curry Makes New Statement on Future With Golden State Warriors.

Steph Curry, the star of the Golden State Warriors, has consistently expressed his desire to spend his entire NBA career with a single team. While he aims to compete for additional championships, there is a genuine concern that these two aspirations may not be compatible.

Given his All-NBA performance last season and his showing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, it’s reasonable to believe that the 36-year-old Curry can still be the leading player on a championship-caliber team. However, every superstar requires a championship-level supporting cast to realize that goal, and currently, Curry lacks that support.

This situation has led to speculation about how much longer Curry will remain patient with the Warriors, the only franchise he has known, especially as they struggle to secure an established second option for him.

In a recent interview on the Today Show, Stephen Curry once again emphasized his intention to retire with the Golden State Warriors. When asked about his future plans, Curry responded, “I hope so for sure. I’ve been there, going into my 16th year. I’ve always said it’s a goal of mine to finish my career with that organization… I wanna keep winning, obviously, and I know we have hopefully some days ahead of still doing that.

Curry’s comments underscore his longstanding desire to spend his entire NBA career with the Warriors, the only team he has played for since being drafted in 2009. Despite the team’s recent struggles to remain an elite contender, the 36-year-old superstar remains committed to winning more championships in Golden State.

For the Golden State Warriors to reestablish themselves as contenders, a significant shift in strategy is necessary, as their current roster does not meet that standard. After missing the playoffs last season, the Warriors made only minor adjustments this summer, losing Klay Thompson and adding a few role players to complete their rotation.

New Update After Golden State Warriors Linked to Elite Three-Point Shooter.

The Golden State Warriors are actively seeking ways to enhance their roster as they prepare for the 2024-25 NBA season. Still lacking a reliable second option, the team hopes that their recent role player acquisitions can help them make a playoff push in the Western Conference.

Although NBA free agency has been relatively quiet for weeks, it appears the Warriors are still exploring the market for potential additions. In an Instagram story, Arturs Kalnitis, CEO of BSA Basketball, announced that his client, Davis Bertans, will be joining the Warriors for the upcoming season. Kalnitis wrote, “Davis Bertans will prepare for the upcoming season together with the [Golden State Warriors]. Good luck in the Bay Area, DB.”

Kalnitis’s post was somewhat ambiguous, leading to the initial assumption that he was referring to a training camp deal for Davis Bertans. The Warriors are set to hold their training camp in Hawaii, where they will also play a preseason game against the LA Clippers.

In an update on the situation, NBA insider Marc Stein provided more clarity:

“Dāvis Bertāns has been invited to work out for the Warriors as Golden State evaluates whether to extend a training camp invitation to the Latvian sharpshooter, league sources tell @TheSteinLine. Rudy Gay received a training camp invite from the Warriors last season after going through similar workouts.”

Davis Bertans split last season between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets, appearing in a total of 43 games. Known as the “Latvian Laser”, Bertans is a career 39.6% three-point shooter, showcasing elite perimeter shooting ability.

At 6’10” and 225 lbs, Bertans is a power forward who spaces the floor with his long-range accuracy. He has made over 1,000 career three-pointers in the NBA.

The 31-year-old Latvian is now working out for the Golden State Warriors as they evaluate whether to invite him to training camp on a non-guaranteed deal. If signed, Bertans could provide valuable floor spacing and shooting off the bench for the Warriors next season.

Despite being only 31 years old, Davis Bertans is aiming to extend his eight-year NBA career. While his primary contribution is three-point shooting, it will be intriguing to observe if he can secure a roster spot.

Golden State Warriors Reportedly Working Out Ex-Lakers Starter.

The Golden State Warriors are unlikely to add another star-level player before the 2024-25 NBA season begins, but they are still seeking to enhance their rotational depth. This was confirmed by BSA Basketball CEO Arturs Kalnitis, who announced that his client, Davis Bertans, would be working out with the Warriors ahead of the upcoming season. Initially, it was unclear if this meant Bertans had secured a training camp deal, but NBA insider Marc Stein provided more clarity:

“Dāvis Bertāns has been invited to work out for the Warriors as Golden State evaluates whether to extend a training camp invitation to the Latvian sharpshooter, league sources tell @TheSteinLine. Rudy Gay earned a Warriors training camp invite last season after similar auditions.”

Additionally, ESPN’s Kendra Andrews reported that the Warriors will also be working out veteran guard Troy Brown Jr. this week, further indicating their efforts to bolster their roster with suitable role players.

Troy Brown Jr., a six-year NBA veteran, played last season with both the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Detroit Pistons. Before that, he had a career-high 76 appearances (45 starts) while with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-23 season.

The situation surrounding Troy Brown Jr. appears to be very similar to that of Davis Bertans. Both players have been invited to work out for the Golden State Warriors as the team evaluates potential additions for training camp.

ESPN’s Kendra Andrews reported that the Warriors will host Brown for a workout this week, noting that these veteran workouts are part of a larger series the team is conducting. This follows the news that Latvian sharpshooter Davis Bertans has also been invited to work out for Golden State, as first reported by NBA insider Marc Stein.

Like Bertans, Brown is a veteran free agent looking to secure a roster spot for the upcoming season. The 24-year-old swingman split last year between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons. Prior to that, he had a career-high 76 appearances (45 starts) for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-23.

If Brown impresses during his workout, he could earn a training camp invite from the Warriors, similar to how Rudy Gay secured a deal with Golden State last year after a similar audition. The team is seeking to add depth to their roster as they aim to return to contention in the Western Conference.

 

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