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NBA Free Agency: Golden State Warriors will lose depth this offseason

By Dan Knitzer

Jun 1, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) tries to dribble the ball between Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and center Zaza Pachulia (27) in the third quarter in game one of the Finals for the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 1, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) tries to dribble the ball between Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and center Zaza Pachulia (27) in the third quarter in game one of the Finals for the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Free Agency: The Golden State Warriors will lose depth this summer as a handful of their free agents could receive more lucrative offers

After last season’s $24 million salary cap spike, the $7 million increase from 2017 to 2018 is chump change, and will leave the famously deep Golden State Warriors with a more shallow roster. The Warriors will be nearly capped out after re-signing Durant and Curry, even if both accept $30 million yearly deals.

This means the team will be able to go over the salary cap only to retain their own free agents, not bring in outside talent. To avoid fielding a nearly $200 million annual roster – with huge luxury tax ramifications – the front office will likely let several of the following free agents go: Andre Iguodala; Shaun Livingston; Zaza Pachulia; Javale McGee; Ian Clark; James Michael McAdoo; David West and Matt Barnes.

While Iguodala is obviously the most proven star player, Clark is young with high upside, and McGee proved that in the right situation, he can be a big difference maker. Look for all three to receive offers of at least $10M per year, even if said offers only come from the lowly Nets.

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This is an inevitable hurdle all super teams experience with having several superstars that inevitably must get paid. The most recent example of a dynasty losing depth was LeBron James’ Miami Heat who – by 2014 – needed big playoff minutes from Norris Cole, Chris Andersen, Rashard Lewis, and a 38 year old Ray Allen. In the 2011 playoffs, only 1 of the teams’ 8 most used players was 32 years or older.

By 2014, half of their 8 man rotation was 32 or older.

The 2017 Golden State Warriors sans a few of Iguodala, Livingston, Pachulia, McGee, Clark, McAdoo, West and Barnes would still be prohibitive title favorites, but the ride to the 2018 Finals would be far more taxing on the team’s “Big Four”, none of who averaged even 36 minutes per game through the whole playoffs.

The Warriors – who do not own a draft pick until 2019 – will likely be forced to rely on Patrick McCaw, Kevon Looney and several D-Leaguers throughout the regular season, and play their Big Four much heavier minutes in the playoffs, opening the door to fatigue or injury.

Too much talent is clearly a good problem to have, and the Warriors look to be title favorites for years to come, but – with a thinner roster – will face more double teams, as opponents don’t have to “pick your poison” in who they guard, or leave wide open.

Must Read: Cleveland Cavaliers: Trading For Carmelo Anthony Is Likely The Next Move

The pass-friendly Golden State Warriors will surely need more “hero ball” isolation plays from Durant and Curry in the years to come. It is going to be a fun – and more competitive – ride. 

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