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3 Offseason tasks the Golden State Warriors should already be working on

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes up for a shot on Donte DiVincenzo #0 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 28, 2023 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 - FEBRUARY 28: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes up for a shot on Donte DiVincenzo #0 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 28, 2023 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 need to find a backup option to Kevon Looney. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors need to find a backup option to Kevon Looney. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

3. Identifying a gettable and reliable backup big.

The Warriors have been very very fortunate. Kevon Looney is nearing the end of a second-straight season of remarkable durability. The big man has now played over 200 straight games dating back to the 2020-21 season, quite an astounding achievement given the injury issues earlier in his career.

It’s time Golden State find him some suitable help though — they can’t bank on him doing it for a third-straight season. To be fair, they thought he’d have help this season with the presence of James Wiseman and JaMychal Green on the roster. However, they were never reliable options, and Wiseman’s inability to contribute eventually saw him moved for Gary Payton II at last month’s trade deadline.

Acquiring a trustworthy option at minimum price is easier said than done, particularly given that player has to fill specific needs. The Warriors never prioritize big men in their offensive scheme, meaning the player needs to be able to defend, rebound and set screens ala Looney. The issue with that is that most minimum salary big men are in that position because they’re often unplayable against certain kind of lineups.

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If that player isn’t available, then getting a stretch big who offers something different is still a worthy way to go. Green was supposed to be that player for Golden State, but his three-point shooting is no longer a major strength. The defending champs have been killed by Naz Reid on two separate occasions this season, and someone like him would be ideal. Again though, that level of player is likely to be out of the Warriors’ price range.

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