Kevin Durant was, as expected, a five-star acquisition in 2016, as was Shaun Livingston in 2014. Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. were four-star acquisitions in 2021, as was Leandro Barbosa in 2014. The signings of David West and Zaza Pachulia in 2016 are further proof that the Warriors’ front office can hit the bullseye in free agency.They also can miss the entire dartboard. They didn’t get much from Willie Cauley-Stein (2019) or Brad Wanamaker (2020), JaMychal Green (2022) or Dario Saric in 2023.
The Warriors need to bring their A game in 2026. For the sake of coach Steve Kerr and superstar Stephen Curry. For the validation of general manager Mike Dunleavy and CEO Joe Lacob.
Draymond Green’s decision to opt out of his player option worth $27.7 million signals a willingness to return on a multiyear deal at a lower annual rate – and reheats the possibility of LeBron James exploring the Warriors as a convenient option should he leave the Lakers.
Moreover, it allows Golden State to revisit its previous interest in Anthony Davis. Any pursuit of the oft-injured Davis via trade would...