The Los Angeles Lakers pinpointed their man and secured Walker Kessler in a major sign-and-trade at the start of free agency, giving the Golden State Warriors the blueprint to making a similar move with a Houston Rockets star next offseason.
The Rockets still have a couple of months to come to terms with Amen Thompson on a contract extension, but failing to agree on a new deal could swing the door open for the Warriors to target the Oakland native as a restricted free agent next offseason.
Walker Kessler deal gives Warriors blueprint to eyeing Amen Thompson
The Lakers entered the offseason with cap space and were willing to preserve that by parting ways with LeBron James. Their myriad of roster moves was headlined by Kessler, having given up two first-round picks and two swaps to the Utah Jazz while also giving the 25-year-old a four-year $129.5 million contract.
It’s the sort of move the Warriors could explore and have their eye on in 12 months, albeit skepticism remains on whether the front office would be bold enough to deliver such an outcome if it requires relinquishing future picks in a sign-and-trade. Skepticism also centers on Thompson’s ability to earn a max contract, with Varun Shankar of The Houston Chronicle reporting that it’s unlikely the 23-year-old generates such a deal.
"Do not expect Amen Thompson to get a max contract extension. Such a contract would pay him a quarter of the salary cap over the next few seasons, but the impressive guard/forward still faces enough questions about his shot and eventual offensive profile," Shankar wrote.
Thompson is currently untouchable in Houston, but we’ll see if the franchise puts their money where their mouth is by agreeing to a deal before the start of the season. If the former fourth overall pick does reach restricted free agency, the Warriors should explore a move using their combination of cap space and future draft assets if they can’t sign Thompson outright.
Warriors could revolutionize their team next offseason
With only four fully contracted players beyond next season, Golden State have the chance to completely revamp their team and offer Stephen Curry one more shot at a fifth championship. Not only could they give their greatest ever player the final opportunity he deserves, but could also set themselves up for the future by landing a young star under the age of 25.
Thompson is just one player who could hit restricted free agency, with number one overall pick Victor Wembanyama the only player from the 2023 draft class to have signed an extension to this point of the offseason.
The Warriors understand from the Jonathan Kuminga saga last year that incumbent teams have leverage in restricted free agency situations, but the Lakers' acquisition of Kessler this summer proves it can be done.
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