The Golden State Warriors’ season came to an unceremonious conclusion on Friday night, eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in a series where the defending champions had their fair share of chances.
After what’s been an up-and-down, rollercoaster season for Golden State, attention now turns to an offseason full of intrigue and some uncertainty. Hamstrung by financial capacity and the diminished value of some of their contracted players, the Warriors may have a tough time rebuilding from what was ultimately a disappointing season.
Few Golden State Warriors are safe, and some may leave of their own accord, in an offseason predicated on retooling for another shot at a championship.
With their superstar and leader, Stephen Curry, showing no signs of slowing down despite hitting 35, the franchise still owes it to him to build a roster that can contend for what would be a fifth championship in ten seasons.
How they exactly do that is a different question. The first port of call is to decide who they say goodbye to, understand who’s likely to say goodbye to them, and analyse who may hit the trade block in the hope of bringing back more established talent.
This is a roster that could look entirely different by the start of next season, but equally could look very similar to the one that just produced a tame ending in Game 6 against the Lakers. Five of Golden State’s top six players (at least by minutes averaged during the regular season) are locked into contracts for next season, four of which will make at least $24.3 million.
While moves around the edge of the roster are most likely, Golden State do possess some intriguing future first-round picks that could be used in bigger, more drastic offseason moves. It makes few players safe for a franchise that will be desperate to return to the top of the league’s hierarchy.
Check out eight players who may not be on the Golden State Warriors next season: