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Golden State Warriors: 5 Free Agent Targets from First-Round Losers

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 22: Seth Curry #30 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on January 22, 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 Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 22: Seth Curry #30 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on January 22, 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 Kavin Mistry/Getty Images) /
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Joe Ingles drives against Donte DiVincenzo in a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors this season. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Joe Ingles drives against Donte DiVincenzo in a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors this season. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2. Joe Ingles

If there’s a Warrior-style player available in this free agent class, then Joe Ingles might be the one. Well, at least of the realistic options that Golden State could sign. An elite three-point shooter, Ingles also has the ball-handling and passing skills to be a secondary playmaker and fit perfectly into the Warriors’ motion offense.

The biggest hole in Golden State’s roster this season has been the stretch forward role that Otto Porter Jr. played so well in 2021-22. Ingles could fill that role with aplomb, albeit with less rebounding and more playmaking than what Porter provided.

The 35-year-old has a plethora of playoff experience and made a solid return this season after suffering a torn ACL in January 2022. He averaged 22.7 minutes in 46 games for the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 40.9% shooting from three-point range.

Ingles is coming off a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Heat, and it’s difficult to envisage him getting anything more than that this time around. That makes him one of the best and most realistic options for the Warriors should they believe he still has something left in the tank.

Trey Lyles

This one might be a little less realistic, but if Golden State want to fill the void Porter left, then Trey Lyles is a worthy option. Coming off a two-year, $5.1 million deal, the 27-years-old may be looking for a better payday and will likely want to stay at the Sacramento Kings where he carved out a nice role this season.

Trey Lyles dunks against the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of their first-round series. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Trey Lyles dunks against the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of their first-round series. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

There’s still a world in which the Warriors can get into the Lyles’ free agency conversation, with the franchise well aware of his exploits having faced he and the Kings in their first-round series. He was one of the key reasons behind the series going to seven games, having played an increased role in a 12-point, nine-rebound performance in Game 6 at Chase Center.

Lyles averaged 16.9 minutes per game for Sacramento during the regular season, averaging 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds on 36.3% from three-point range. You would expect that mark to rise further should he play alongside the gravitational pull of a Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Ingles would still be the preferred option in the short-term, but Lyles is younger and would certainly provide an upgrade on what Golden State have received with JaMychal Green this season.

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