Golden State Warriors: 5 potential Kevin Durant replacements
The Kevin Durant saga has finally reached his conclusion. The former MVP has announced he is moving on to pastures new and his departure leaves the Golden State Warriors reeling.
Although Kevin Durant wasn’t going to feature in 2019-20 season for the Golden State Warriors should, he have had resigned, it is still a massive blow to the Dubs championship aspirations. To counteract this Bob Myers pulled off an audacious sign and trade for D’Angelo Russell per Shams Charania leaving the Dubs with little wiggle room.
Warriors are on verge of acquiring Russell, Treveon Graham and Shabazz Napier from Brooklyn, league sources said. https://t.co/4HefUBSNQA
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2019
As has been known for awhile the Warriors have only the mid-level exception and veteran minimum contracts. However, following the Russell trade the Dubs are perilously close to the hard cap having a mere $18.2 million to fill out nine roster slots per Nate Duncan
Assuming Jones/Evans stick around and they sign Paschall and Smailagic, plus a vet min guy you're at 13 players and $5.3m below hard cap. MAYBE enough to bring back Looney, but would have ZERO wiggle room in case of injuries etc. https://t.co/iTWPo1DoVs
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) July 1, 2019
A large amount of that $18.2 million will likely be committed to Kevon Looney and potentially Jordan Bell which virtually confirms the departure of DeMarcus Cousins and in all likelihood Quinn Cook.
To offset the Russell trade the Dubs moved three-time champion and longtime Warrior Andre Iguodala to Memphis per Adrian Wojnarowski and Shaun Livingston is set to follow suit relatively soon. Although losing Livingston isn’t such a massive blow due to a reasonable point guard depth behind Steph Curry, Jacob Evans, the recently acquired Shabazz Napier and the undrafted Ky Bowman.
Golden State is trading Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies, league source tells ESPN. Warriors are sending a 2024 protected first-round pick in the 2024 (protected 1-4), 2025 (protected 1) and 2026 unprotected.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
However, following Iguodala’s departure, the Warriors depth at small forward starts and ends with Alfonso McKinnie which doesn’t inspire much confidence. The Dubs must add reinforcements in order to stay afloat in a fiercely competitive Western Conference.
Here we take a look at who the Dubs could target.