As the Golden State Warriors prepare for the 2020 NBA draft and a coronavirus-hit free agency, they will be an attractive option for impending free agents.
Since the arrival of Steve Kerr, the Warriors have become an ideal destination for players seeking opportunities to rebuild their value after a difficult stint elsewhere.
In addition, the Bay Area has also been an attractive destination for experienced players and superstars seeking a championship ring. The main example being Kevin Durant and three years prior to that Andre Iguodala.
Nevertheless, the glowing references from former star Shaun Livingston have helped the Warriors image describing the team as a “basketball nirvana”, Livingston has been one of the many players that the Warriors have helped rebuild his career.
During the Warriors dynasty years, they have managed to find unexpected contributors throughout that time turning many draft “busts” into serviceable players.
The likes of Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, JaVale McGee, Glenn Robinson III, Leandro Barbosa, Marresse Speights, and to a lesser extent Alec Burks were considered draft busts before enjoying a successful spell in the Bay Area.
While the Warriors organization has helped the likes of Livingston, David West, and Andrew Bogut to find a new lease of life in Golden State.
This was why DeMarcus Cousins sought to join Golden State after his Achilles injury for the mid-level exception. Although Cousins didn’t rebuild his value and was limited due to injury, it underlines the pull and the draw that is the Warriors organization.
As for the draft, many view the Warriors as an ideal destination for a number of rookies. Largely due to the depth of talent on the roster, quality coaching, and ability to play a reduced role with the likes of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson handling the majority of the scoring load.
Despite the Warriors not having the first overall pick a number of people around expected lottery selected players have expressed hope that the Dubs do indeed select them on November 18th.
Tyrese Halliburton’s head coach at Iowa State has already said he hopes the point guard ends up in either Golden State or San Antonio, James Wiseman’s former head coach at Memphis Penny Hardaway pitched Wiseman heavily to the Warriors.
While Anthony Edwards’ Georgia head coach Tom Crean insinuated that he wants the 19-year-old to go to Golden State. Lastly, the parents of consensus top-five pick Obi Toppin said they hoped their son was taken by the Warriors.
All of that highlights the faith and confidence all of those people have in the Warriors organization and underlines why players want to play in the Bay.
Furthermore, it underlines how strong the Warriors culture actually is and that they actually arguably have the best environment for players to develop.
The transformation from a team that qualified for the playoffs twice in 18 seasons to one of the best franchises in the NBA has been nothing short of astonishing. The culture Steve Kerr, Bob Myers, and Joe Lacob created can’t be credited enough.