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Five non-Durant free agents the Warriors should try to sign

By Carlos Murillo

Dec 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Nicolas Batum (5) looks to pass the ball as he is defended by Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Warriors win 116-99. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Nicolas Batum (5) looks to pass the ball as he is defended by Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Warriors win 116-99. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nicolas Batum

Warriors
Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 123-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Warriors will look to upgrade from Harrison Barnes and Nicolas Batum might be the answer.

For Golden State, it’s “DURANT OR BUST.” Kinda.

If they can’t land the superstar forward, then they still have a really good backup option at their disposal. Nicolas Batum would be a really good Plan B if Durant chooses to sign somewhere else. The 27 year old would definitely be an upgrade at small forward over Harrison Barnes.

The French forward would give the Warriors another good ball handler, someone that can get the ball to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson while creating his own shot. He has good size at 6’8, 200 lbs with long arms that can help him play the four in the Warriors’ small ball lineup.

In the NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers focused all their attention on stopping the Splash Brothers, daring the Warriors’ small forwards to beat them, especially from beyond the arc. While Batum isn’t a great long range shooter, he’s competent and can only get better with all the great looks the Warriors’ offense creates. Batum can put the ball on the floor and drive the basket. He shot 70 percent at the rim last season and can take contact and convert from the free throw line at better than 80 percent.

He won’t be cheap and will probably command as much as Barnes. But he is a superior offense player that has been a key player in many playoff teams over the course of his career. After one year in Charlotte, averaging almost 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, he helped the Hornets become one of the biggest surprises in the league.

Entering his ninth season, Batum is looking for a big payday and his first taste at a deep playoff run. The Warriors can offer both.

Next: Redemption for a Center?

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