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7 Things Golden State Warriors Fans Should Look Forward to in 2016

By Michael Shultz

Dec 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward James Michael McAdoo (20) high fives his teammates during a Houston Rockets timeout in the second half at Toyota Center. The Warriors won 114 to 110. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward James Michael McAdoo (20) high fives his teammates during a Houston Rockets timeout in the second half at Toyota Center. The Warriors won 114 to 110. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31), Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) and Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first quarter of game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31), Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) and Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first quarter of game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Free Agency: What will happen?

There will be many questions in free agency the Warriors will need to answer:

Do they re-sign Barnes?

Do they re-sign Ezeli?

Do they sign Durant?

This offseason, Barnes reportedly turned down a 4 year, $64 million extension for the Warriors. At the time, it seemed like a pretty bold move for Barnes since he was the 4th or 5th option on a NBA champion. It was more than a fair offer from the Warriors.

In the upcoming free agency, look for Barnes to receive max contract from another team, which will be in the range of over $20 million per year. That would make him the highest paid player on the team but still the fourth option. The Warriors can match any offer because he is a restricted free agent so it will be up the Warriors organization whether or not they want to retain him. The Warriors love Barnes so chances are he will remain a Warrior.

Ezeli is also a restricted free agent and a top priority for the Warriors this offseason. Ezeli will most likely re-sign with the Warriors and might become the starting center in the 2016-17 season. Ezeli, like Green, has really improved this season and may be ready to take Bogut’s spot. It will be interesting to see if Bogut, like Iguodala, will sacrifice his starting position or will the Warriors have to trade him.

The Warriors have had success with a veteran sacrificing his starting spot for a younger player. Just look at Iguodala sacrificing for Barnes and Lee sacrificing for Green so Bogut should do the same for Ezeli. The Warriors will probably have spend more than they would like on Ezeli but it is completely necessary.

Jan 16, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Their final free agent option will be most coveted free agent of the summer: Kevin Durant. Durant will cost the Warriors $30 million per year so the Warriors will have to deal some of their pieces to obtain him. The most logical option would be to get him in a sign-and-trade with Barnes going to Oklahoma City. It can not simply be Barnes for Durant because the numbers do not work. The Warriors would have to add Ezeli or a combination of Shaun Livingston, Jason Thompson or Bogut for the numbers to add up.

Adding Durant would be incredible for this franchise on paper but would it be the right fit for everyone involved. Durant is used to being the best player on the floor but that would not be the case in Oakland. Would he sacrifice and become a second or third option on the Warriors? How would Thompson react to being a third option? These questions should worry Warriors fans and why the Warriors should just re-sign Barnes and Ezeli and continue to improve as a team.

Next: Conclusion

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