Warriors: Breaking down the roster ahead of free agency

The Warriors have at least three free agents they’ll be hoping to retain when the free agency period opens. Here they are in order of priority, with potential replacements should they be willing to move on from the franchise.

1. Kevon Looney

The now three-time champion was an instrumental part in the entirety of the Warriors’ season, playing every single one of the possible 104 games.

It now seems a mere formality that the two sides agree to a new deal early in free agency. However, it may cost the Warriors a lot more than what they may have thought prior to the playoffs, especially when you factor in the luxury tax implications.

Expect the 26-year-old to sign a two- or three-year deal at around $10 million per season, coincidentally around the same mark as what Wiseman is on.

Speaking of Wiseman, his threat to Looney’s starting role may be the only reason the latter makes a surprise move away from Golden State. Still, the Warriors know they can’t go into next season relying solely on a third-year center who’s only played 39 games across two seasons.

If Looney were to leave, Myers and the front office would find themselves in damage control and desperate to find a replacement big man. Perhaps they go to a former Warrior who knows the system – Javale McGee or DeMarcus Cousins.

The unlikely route, should Looney leave, would be going for a younger centre who may be willing to come to Golden State on a one-year deal to increase their value – say a Nicolas Claxton, Mitchell Robinson or Mo Bamba.

That’s unlikely for two reasons – because Claxton and Bamba are restricted free agents, and because that sort of player could easily disrupt Wiseman’s development and long term path to the starting center role.