Market getting slim for Dubs
Beverley picked Bulls, but there are still buyout options available
The Warriors have a vacant roster spot and a few options to fill it.
Two-way players Ty Jerome and Anthony Lamb are candidates to be converted and added to the roster. Or the Warriors can explore the buyout market for a free-agent upgrade to supplement their depth.
On his podcast, guard Patrick Beverley, who was recently bought out by the Magic after being traded from the Lakers, revealed that he had a choice to sign with either the Bulls or Golden State. He chose to sign with the Bulls — with Lonzo Ball out for the year, Beverley will have a shot at a regular role and consistent minutes on a team with playoff hopes.
“Obviously it's always good to play with a lot of great talent in Golden State, but (there are) a lot of guards over there,” Beverley said. “I figured I could make a playoff push with the Bulls right now and kind of pump them up a little bit. The East is kind of weak.”
It could be assumed the Warriors would prioritize frontcourt depth on the buyout market. Draymond Green, Kevon Looney and JaMychal Green are the extent of their center depth, and any injury could put them in a sticky size and defense situation with the buyout signing on March 1.
But the Warriors' interest in Beverley indicates they want to supplement their guard depth, specifically defensively, with trade acquisition Gary Payton II expected to miss at least a month with a core injury. Plus with Steph Curry's timeline for return from a leg injury still undetermined, the Warriors' guard-heavy
roster could actually use a little veteran help.
Can the Warriors find an upgrade from Jerome and Lamb for that last spot? Point-of-attack defense is clearly atop the Warriors' wishlist. President of basketball operations Bob Myers has said any frontcourt addition would only be considered if guaranteed playing time. In other words, they won't be adding a big just for the sake of it unless head coach Steve Kerr and the coaching staff give their approval.
“It's determined by how the coaches will use that player,” Myers said of their buyout search. “For us to say, `Here's a big guy,' and coaching staff to say `We aren't playing that guy. Doesn't matter if he's seven, eight feet tall. Any buyout conversation has to be done in collaboration with the coaching staff. Because why bring a player in if they're not going to use him?”
After Beverly, few buyout options for defenseoriented guards are on the radar. But there are a few wings and bigs the Warriors could look at on the buyout market. Here's a look.
WILL BARTON >> Barton was a thorn in the Warriors' side, especially from
3-point land, during his years with the Denver Nuggets, shooting 36% from 3 on 4.6 attempts per game on average during his eight seasons there. His shooting volume has taken a small hit this year — he shot 38% on 3.4 attempts per game with some iffy defense in 40 games with the Washington Wizards before being bought out.
But Barton has only played in nine games dating back to Dec. 23 and his rebounding numbers dropped from 4.8 per game last season to 2.8 this year. Barton profiles as a solid wing defender, but will his questionable stint with Washington put the Warriors off?
SERGE IBAKA >> Ibaka at his best would be a perfect Warrior: A big who can stretch the floor and provide much-needed muscle in the paint on both ends. When he's healthy, he's a defensive force. But the 33-year-old Ibaka hasn't played much this season. He played just 16 games with the Milwaukee Bucks this year, was traded to the Indiana Pacers as part of a four-team deal and promptly waived.
The Miami Heat were linked to Ibaka before landing Kevin Love. But there's some uncertainty
about Ibaka's readiness to jump in — he hasn't played in a game since Jan. 1. STANLEY JOHNSON >> Johnson, 26, is an intriguing prospect. He stands 6-foot-7 with the athleticism worth investing in.
But Johnson hasn't been able to stick with any of the five teams he's landed on throughout his eightyear career. While Johnson could be an intriguing addition and project long-term for the Warriors, it's unclear if he would be able to jump into a playoff run on an unfamiliar team right now. OTHER OPTIONS >> The Warriors may well skip out on the buyout market and work with what they have. It's very possible the Warriors decide none of the external frontcourt options is a better fit than Lamb, who is shooting 40% on 3.4 3-point attempts per game this year. Though, as Draymond Green pointed out, he needs to shore up his over-helping habit on defense, where the Warriors are struggling.
Jerome isn't bad defensively and is a capable guard to fill in for Curry and Payton. He's a strong playmaker for others — Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo and Klay Thompson — and himself. Even if the Warriors are a little guardheavy, Jerome fits well.