Didnt have much of a chance to talk to him but did ask him about Matthew's he basically said he did what he had to do. He's a really nice guy although he was in the cavs visitors section.

Was he reviewing his contract?

It feels like the Warriors success has been/will be a plus for Cal basketball.

75bear;842697789 said:

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It feels like the Warriors success has been/will be a plus for Cal basketball.

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Interestingly I think so too, just as 9ers success seems to be a plus for Furd football.

But what would really help is having a Cal guy on the roster. Namely a Ty Wallace developing on the bench. Guessing a few of the Warriors bench players will get poached after this season so not entirely implausible.

The interesting thing regarding the Dubs bench post season will be if they make a serious run at Kevin Durant. Under that scenario, they will have to lighten their load that may well include starters. Plus, you have Harrison Barnes looking for max money after turning down the Warriors $60 some million contract. Here are the contracts ... only the starters (minus Barnes) plus Iggy, Livingston and Kevon Looney are signed to 2016-17 contracts. The other name with a contract (jason Thompson) was waived in Feb..

http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/GSW.html#payroll::none

Durant is a free agent so I don't believe that OKC can demand anything.. They will have Barnes come off the payroll but the returning players are already going to cost $80m (see link in earlier post) so they'd have to lose players like Bogut and perhaps Iggy to make it work. That is a very high cost to pay for the Warriors as you point out. The chemistry is a whole additional issue...

Durant would adapt and fit into the Warriors system very well. He's a professional and a class act.

Staying in OKC would give him a decent shot at a title next season, but perhaps he'll want to get away from Westbrook and into everything the Warriors represent.

Barnes hasn't had a great year, and the Warriors could choose to upgrade to Durant if he's available.

The Warriors let Lee go to create cap space this season. Bogut might be the one who goes next year, as his $13.8 million salary is 3rd highest on the team, behind Klay and Green.

R90;842697855 said:

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Durant would adapt and fit into the Warriors system very well. He's a professional and a class act.

Staying in OKC would give him a decent shot at a title next season, but perhaps he'll want to get away from Westbrook and into everything the Warriors represent.

Barnes hasn't had a great year, and the Warriors could choose to upgrade to Durant if he's available.

The Warriors let Lee go to create cap space this season. Bogut might be the one who goes next year, as his $13.8 million salary is 3rd highest on the team, behind Klay and Green.

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If durant was ok just filling Barnes role (play some defense, rebound and stand in the corner and shoot open threes) the Warriors would be virtually unbeatable

If he constantly needed the ball in his hands, I dunno.

ducky23;842697858 said:

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If durant was ok just filling Barnes role (play some defense, rebound and stand in the corner and shoot open threes) the Warriors would be virtually unbeatable

If he constantly needed the ball in his hands, I dunno.

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Kevin Durant is a 7-footer, I would seriously consider getting him on the basis of having him near the basket. Still amazed Draymond Green is the primary rebounder at 6'9".

Barnes is pretty mediocre. The fact that he looked good last night is just an indictment of Kyrie and Cleveland's help defense. I like Barnes, he's a great kid and doesn't shy away from the moment but he just isn't a frontline NBA player. He isn't a good ball handler and is very limited offensively - he can make open threes and he can cut without the ball and finish at the rim but he can't create his own shot. He's a slightly better than average defensive player but doesn't have enough lateral agility to be great. Lebron dominates him. The best thing about Barnes on the warriors is that he eats up minutes which allows Iggy to stay healthy and rested through the finals.

I hope the Lakers decide to do what Mychal Thompson advocates - steal Barnes with a big contract and make him the focal piece of their offense.

Strykur;842697882 said:

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Kevin Durant is a 7-footer, I would seriously consider getting him on the basis of having him near the basket. Still amazed Draymond Green is the primary rebounder at 6'9".

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Draymond is 6'7" max

Unit2Sucks;842697923 said:

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Barnes is pretty mediocre. The fact that he looked good last night is just an indictment of Kyrie and Cleveland's help defense. I like Barnes, he's a great kid and doesn't shy away from the moment but he just isn't a frontline NBA player. He isn't a good ball handler and is very limited offensively - he can make open threes and he can cut without the ball and finish at the rim but he can't create his own shot. He's a slightly better than average defensive player but doesn't have enough lateral agility to be great. Lebron dominates him. The best thing about Barnes on the warriors is that he eats up minutes which allows Iggy to stay healthy and rested through the finals.

I hope the Lakers decide to do what Mychal Thompson advocates - steal Barnes with a big contract and make him the focal piece of their offense.

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You don't think that Mychal Thompson is advocating that to make it better for his son's team?

Durant takes so many shots because he has to. With the Warriors he would take the right shots. No question he would make the Dubs even better than what they are now. I would hate to break up the big three though.

UCBerkGrad;842697933 said:

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Durant takes so many shots because he has to. With the Warriors he would take the right shots. No question he would make the Dubs even better than what they are now. I would hate to break up the big three though.

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Wouldn't need to. The team could stay Ragamuffin-like with one smurf guard, another 6'7" guard, a 6'7" PF, a 7' SF and a center by committee of Bogut/Ezeli/Varejao/Speights - Not to mention McAdoo - and what if Looney turns out to be as good as advertised, PLUS, of course, the rest of the bench that won last night's game, without any help from the starting lineup, thank you (except maybe Green - who, otherwise in the game, was not as good as he was during the reign of the above-named second unit?

The best reason for the GSW to bring on Durant is to eliminate the OKC hurdle for next season's playoffs.

But I'd be surprised if KD decides to join the Warriors - it would be a much bigger bandwagon move than LeBron going to Miami to get a ring.

75bear;842697944 said:

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The best reason for the GSW to bring on Durant is to eliminate the OKC hurdle for next season's playoffs.

But I'd be surprised if KD decides to join the Warriors - it would be a much bigger bandwagon move than LeBron going to Miami to get a ring.

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If he stays in Oklahoma City, he still has to run the gauntlet of San Antonio and Golden State, and that is just in the West, if he really wanted to punk out he would go to Miami to run through the depleted East. And I have to believe that the team in LA (not the Clippers) will have something to say in the championship chase again in the next couple of years. Also Westbrook is up next year, if Oklahoma City wants to revamp then better to start sooner than later.

Lakers a playoff team in two years?

Luke Walton must have Jedi powers

A dubs starting five of Curry, Klay, Green, Durant & Ezeli (assuming Barnes & Bogut depart) might be more fun to watch than the current group! Going small with Iggy too. But yes - I would hate to lose that chemistry.

I think Barnes has a pretty good situation at GSW, but would also understand him taking a larger role on a less successful team. I also think some older role players appreciate the depth of the W's and how it is lengthening their careers on a winning team (San Antonio has been doing that for a while). In my mind, this applies to Bogut, Iggy, Livingston, Barbosa, Speights - but maybe not Clarke, Rush, Looney.

mikecohen;842697928 said:

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Draymond is 6'7" max

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You're being generous

I was all set to say keep Ezeli and let Bogut go, but IMHO Ezeli has been a real disappointment in this year's playoffs. Kerr must think so too because he has played very few minutes. Dropping passes, not exactly commanding on the boards, slow to be in the right spot, etc.

going4roses;842697964 said:

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Lakers a playoff team in two years?

Luke Walton must have Jedi powers

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The West is so top-heavy right now that they just need to get back to near .500 to be in the Playoff picture. I also have a very hard time believing that they remain this awful for a prolonged period of time, Buss siblings regardless. Then again I once thought that the Lakers becoming a 60-loss team was more improbable than the Warriors winning the Finals...

-1. Barnes understands that he is a role player and is important for clubhouse chemistry. I heard the same "can't create his own shot" stuff about Klay and those critics are now silent. I missed the part of Lebron dominating Barnes and the Cavs winning. Lebron dominates 99% of the league. HB is still improving - KT and SC 3 years ago.

The Dubs are finishing a year for the ages and everybody wants the bright, shiny rings on the other teams.....I just don't get how everybody wants to dispose of the youngest, vital part of the team and bring in a 30 year old "star". Did you see the Spurs vs the Thunder?

mikecohen;842697930 said:

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You don't think that Mychal Thompson is advocating that to make it better for his son's team?

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Mychal does TV for the Lakers so I don't think he would do that. Of course I recognize Mychal has forgotten more about the NBA than I will ever know but let's just say I am skeptical that Barnes is ever going to be a go to scorer.

GSW seeking a "whale" FA, I have voted "pass" more than "hook"... Carmelo, Dwight Howard, as well as restricted FA, Love in recent years.
but... KD, I have been in camp to try to sign him this summer to take the 3 spot. He is younger than Curry (at 27)..
I feel Durant would adjust his game to whatever role Kerr asks him to fill. (shooting less, more D, etc)

I like his game and his attitude.. GSW would have 4 of the top 10 players in the NBA. (all under 30 and Curry being the oldest of the 4)


On another thread here on BI, I mentioned that GSW should also try to land Bismack Biyombo...(Raptors FA).. at 23, he has huge upside as a D stopper and rebound machine.

Bob Myers has done a fine job as GSW GM, so, whatever he decides to do, I am fine with.

goGSW (3 more wins)
goBears

Unit2Sucks;842698002 said:

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Mychal does TV for the Lakers so I don't think he would do that. Of course I recognize Mychal has forgotten more about the NBA than I will ever know but let's just say I am skeptical that Barnes is ever going to be a go to scorer.

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Couple of things: (1) I was, of course, being somewhat facetious (just making manifest a possible absurdity or contradiction that was more inferred in your analysis). (2) In light of the comments here pointing out (something I've thought about Barnes) that Steph and Klay at Barnes' age had shortcomings very similar to those attributed to Barnes now. Indeed, I think the improvement in Klay's shooting (and I imagine the rest of his game), as I saw it, seemed to take a quantum leap after Steph went down a few weeks ago: are you willing to re-examine your skepticism of Barnes not being able to reach those heights in the next 4 years? I, for one, see not only terrific athleticism and general progress, but also that the upside is greatly enhanced by his association with the Dubs, especially Iguodala, Kerr, Ron Adams, Draymond (not to mention Steph & Klay).

Siri says KDurant born Sept 88, so 28 next season.
HBarnes just turned 24 4 days ago.
So were only talking less than 4 years age difference.
KD was MVP by age 25, had led the league in scoring 4 of 5 years to that point.
No comparison.
KD still in prime.
Win titles NOW.

Most fans tend to only look at scoring where Barnes is pretty inconsistent. What Barnes brings to the Dubs specifically is his ability to play both the 3 and swing to the 4 in their small ball death lineup. Not a lot of 3s around the league can defend 4s and get rebounds. Is he worth $20M/year? I wouldn't want to pay him that, but the issue is that with the Dubs already projected to be over next year's salary cap, they won't be able to go after big name free agents with $20M to spend if they don't sign Barnes. It'll be a lot less. If you want KD, you have to give up at least one other big rotation player, if not two, and risk upsetting the chemistry on the roster.

I wouldn't want to be in Bob Myers shoes. This won't be an easy decision.

philbert;842698114 said:

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Most fans tend to only look at scoring where Barnes is pretty inconsistent. What Barnes brings to the Dubs specifically is his ability to play both the 3 and swing to the 4 in their small ball death lineup. Not a lot of 3s around the league can defend 4s and get rebounds. Is he worth $20M/year? I wouldn't want to pay him that, but the issue is that with the Dubs already projected to be over next year's salary cap, they won't be able to go after big name free agents with $20M to spend if they don't sign Barnes. It'll be a lot less. If you want KD, you have to give up at least one other big rotation player, if not two, and risk upsetting the chemistry on the roster.

I wouldn't want to be in Bob Myers shoes. This won't be an easy decision.

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This would be the easiest decision of Myers life. The rich get richer if KD wants to come here and he doesn't have to sacrifice the Big Three.

UCBerkGrad;842698148 said:

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This would be the easiest decision of Myers life. The rich get richer if KD wants to come here and he doesn't have to sacrifice the Big Three.

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How do you sign Curry next year if you sign KD this year?

[U]FYI, of the big 3:[/U]
Curry is locked for next 1 year only.
Thompson is locked for next 3 years.
Draymond is locked for next 4 years.

[U]of the "strength in numbers":[/U]
- Iguodala, Bogut and Jason Thompson are like Curry, have 1 more year, then free.
- Livingston has a 'team option' for next year.
- Barnes and Festus have a 'qualifying offer' for next year. (how's that work?)
- Speights, Barbosa, Ian Clark, McAdoo, Rush and Varejoa are FREE after this year.
- Kevin Looney is locked for next year, with a team option for 2 years after that, and then a qualifying offer after that. All very cheap.

So, you've got Draymond and Klay locked in. Next, Curry is gonna get a max deal, one would have to assume. And if I were the Warriors, I'd want to keep the following guys in order of preference:
Iguodala, Livingston, Barnes, Bogut...

Who can they get via free agency, via the draft?
And how do they want to allocate their money?

Since Curry is so low, relative to market ($12M vs $26.7, see below).
Maybe you negotiate Curry's contract now, giving him more next year in exchange for something less that max subsequent.

"DeRozan, Horford, Conley and Durant will all be qualified to make 30 percent of the salary cap, since they have between seven and nine years of experience. That means their first year will be worth roughly $26.7 million" (source link here)


OR, maybe you tell Curry to keep his salary of $12M for next year, and use that money to sign someone big (like Durant), knowing that the following year, when you have to sign Curry to max, you will have to essentially cut everyone else off the roster to fit the Big4.

concordtom;842698158 said:

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Since Curry is so low, relative to market ($12M vs $26.7, see below).
Maybe you negotiate Curry's contract now, giving him more next year in exchange for something less that max subsequent.

"DeRozan, Horford, Conley and Durant will all be qualified to make 30 percent of the salary cap, since they have between seven and nine years of experience. That means their first year will be worth roughly $26.7 million" (source link here)


OR, maybe you tell Curry to keep his salary of $12M for next year, and use that money to sign someone big (like Durant), knowing that the following year, when you have to sign Curry to max, you will have to essentially cut everyone else off the roster to fit the Big4.

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They can do it but will be hit with luxury tax.

MoragaBear;842697839 said:

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As amazing a player as Durant is, I just don't see how his shoot at all costs philosophy would fit with the Warriors. I'd be concerned that the whole balance and culture of the team would change too much subtracting Iguadala, Bogut and whoever else OKC would demand while adding a superstar with a shoot first mentality. I'm open to being proven wrong but it's a definite concern.

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I agree. They just had the best season in NBA history and bringing in a ball dominant guy as good as Durant is would not be wise. The Dubs will not trade Iggy, after Klay and Steph he and Draymond are their most important pieces.

Looperbear;842698186 said:

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I agree. They just had the best season in NBA history and bringing in a ball dominant guy as good as Durant is would not be wise. The Dubs will not trade Iggy, after Klay and Steph he and Draymond are their most important pieces.

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1. Curry
2. Klay
3. Durant
4. Green
5. Does it matter? Big defensive body who can slam home an alley-oop.

a) Iggy
b) Livingston
c) big defensive body who can slam home an alley-oop.

Oh well. Enough speculation....