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The Warriors may not be a suitable option for buyout candidates

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Damion Lee #1, Kent Bazemore #26, Draymond Green #23, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate on the bench during the fourth quarter of their win over the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on January 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Damion Lee #1, Kent Bazemore #26, Draymond Green #23, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate on the bench during the fourth quarter of their win over the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on January 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors haven’t shown enough quite yet to be considered a premier destination for buyout candidates later in the season.

For the last half a decade excluding last season, the Golden State Warriors were the premier destination for veterans that needed a new home and were bought out of their existing contract.

After all, the Warriors did manage to make five consecutive NBA Finals, winning three of them, two of which the team had former MVP, Kevin Durant, for. While they hope to be contenders again this season, that just may not be the case.

The Warriors haven’t looked incapable the entire season. Heading into Friday’s matchup, the team was 4-4. It’s how they got to that 4-4 that matters, and it’s also what personnel they already have that may shy veterans away.

This offseason, the Warriors knew that after Klay Thompson went down with another season-ending injury that they’d need playmaking. They added that playmaking with Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kent Bazemore.

On top of that, they added James Wiseman, so adding an Andrew Bogut-like talent as the older teams had done doesn’t make sense for this roster. The talent on the second unit and within the starters is there. The rim protection is there.

The only other thing the Warriors could really use is high-level playmaking. That’s what superstars do, and that’s what they’ll need to do in order to enhance their roster enough to make them a true championship contender.

Having the personnel is only half the story though.

The Warriors suffered two 25-plus point losses to start the season. Since then, they’ve seen Draymond Green and still lost to the two playoff teams they’ve faced. While they did beat the Blazers, that was behind a career-best 62 points from Stephen Curry.

Against the Clippers the first time around, the Warriors were in the game. It was a single-digit game that closed to even within five in the fourth quarter. Both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard played in that game.

The Warriors will have other games to prove they could be a true contender, but until they win those, players that get bought out may not find the Warriors as an attractive destination.

Looking at potential buyout targets now is difficult as many teams may not cut veterans that can provide some benefit. But, there are always free agents or veterans that need new teams. Sadly, with Golden State’s roster, they have the playmaking off the second unit that they need.

Next. Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history. dark

It seems unlikely that Golden State brings in too many buyout players or free agents late in the season this time around.

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