Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors: Only a handful of MLE targets remain

By Nathan Beighle

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

So far this offseason, the Golden State Warriors have knocked the ball out of the park on a couple of free-agent signing. For starters, adding veteran forward Andre Iguodala and sharpshooter Otto Porter Jr. on veteran’s minimum deals is an absolute steal for the Dubs.

On top of those two, the Warriors were also able to sign former Kings center Nemanja Bjelica to the veteran’s minimum. His ability to space the floor as a big man will be something Golden State craves.

The Golden State Warriors haven’t used their mid-level exception, and it’s starting to look like they may not with the shrinking free agency pool.

Those three have been the key additions aside from the team taking G-League Ignite’s Jonathan Kuminga with the No. 7 overall pick and Moses Moody with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

While those five will help the team contend in the challenging Western Conference, the Warriors may still be able to bring in more talent this offseason, specifically using their MLE which is around $6 million.

However, they failed to get Kelly Oubre Jr. to sign for it, and a player like Dennis Schroder seems very unlikely to as well. The big-name targets like Kawhi Leonard were signed for several times the MLE.

Following Schroder, Josh Hart and Paul Millsap are a few of the notable names left on the board. While Hart may get a solid contract, Millsap likely will sign for the minimum somewhere, meaning Hart could easily be the only MLE-qualify player left.

The Golden State Warriors are still a prestigious franchise which is why they were able to get three quality contributors for a franchise of their value. Considering how they’ve approached the MLE so far, it looks unlikely they use it on a player not worthy.

That said, Golden State may still be able to swing Millsap.

It’s unknown where he plans to sign, and he is a former four-time All-Star. Needing help in their frontcourt, it would make sense for the Warriors to look to sign him. He also shot 43.5 percent from deep during the 2019-2020 season.

It makes sense, but if it hasn’t happened yet, it appears unlikely to in the coming days. With the number of MLE targets waning, expecting the Warriors to pass on the using the exception this offseason.

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

At least this time around, if they don’t use it, they can’t botch it as bad as they did the trade exception they used to add Kelly Oubre Jr. last offseason.

Home/Warriors News