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Free Agency: Golden State Warriors’ best remaining targets sign elsewhere on Day 4

By Peter O'Keefe

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 30: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets, Torrey Craig #3, Mason Plumlee #24, Will Barton #5 and Trey Lyles #7 react during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 30, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 30: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets, Torrey Craig #3, Mason Plumlee #24, Will Barton #5 and Trey Lyles #7 react during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 30, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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A rather underwhelming free agency period for the Golden State Warriors has continued, missing out on two of their best remaining targets after they signed with rival teams on Monday.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, defensive-minded forward Torrey Craig has signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bulls, while center Mason Plumlee has re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on a one-year, $5 million deal.

The free agent options are thinning for the Golden State Warriors who still need to sign at least two more players to their current 12-man roster.

Craig and Plumlee were seen as two of the best options left available for the Warriors, particularly given their need for more forward depth and a certified backup center behind eight-year veteran Kevon Looney.

However, any consideration of the duo as ‘gettable’ was ultimately off the mark, with Golden State unable to offer the kind of financial incentives to lure either player to the Bay. With only minimum contracts available and an inability to offer consistent playing time, the Warriors are so far struggling to appease fans with valuable signings.

Andrew Wiggins and Torrey Craig battle in a game between the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Andrew Wiggins and Torrey Craig battle in a game between the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

In what was an absolute necessity for the franchise heading into free agency, Golden State made the first move of the period on Friday when they re-signed future hall-of-famer Draymond Green to a new four-year, $100 million contract.

However, their first signing from a rival team didn’t come until Sunday when they acquired 31-year-old point-guard Cory Joseph to a one-year, minimum contract. The decision to add Joseph came after the franchise lost Ty Jerome and Donte DiVincenzo on Saturday, while Eric Gordon chose the Phoenix Suns over the Warriors in his free agency decision.

Not all is lost for Golden State with a number of players still available, yet none are likely to bring the same kind of impact Craig and/or Plumlee could have. Croatian big man Dario Saric was linked to the Warriors shortly before free agency, but nothing is official on that front just yet.

Next. Golden State Warriors addressing major issue with offseason moves. dark

It’s important to note that the Warriors only had 12 contracted players last offseason until they signed JaMychal Green on August 1. Their 14th player signed to the roster, Andre Iguodala, didn’t come until September 23.

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