The 2014 NBA free agency period begins tonight at 9 p.m. PST with teams able to begin negotiating with free agents between now and June 10, when actual signings will occur.
Folks around here have been discussing potential free agent targets for some time and now is as good a time as any to discuss the options.
You probably already know the Warriors' situation: Steve Blake, Jordan Crawford, and Jermaine O'Neal are all unrestricted free agents after the team chose not to extend a qualifying offer to Crawford. They have 11 remaining players under contract and have about $11 million to spend, as described by Marcus Thompson the other day. Their needs can probably best be summed up simply by saying "bench production" and getting more specific from there. Somewhere in this mess of numbers - and competing with 2014 free agent interests - is an opportunity to trade for Kevin Love and maybe fulfill the fantasy of getting LeBron James.
But we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves. First, let's go through some of the details.
Free agent resources
First, some resources to serve as a guide through some of the basics:
- Storyteller's Contracts is generally a great site for a quick overview of the Warriors' salary situation. Hoopshype is also a great resource has the Warriors' updated salary situation.
- RealGM has a convenient look at the Warriors' free agents for now and in the future.
- USA Today has an alphabetical list of every free agent available in 2014.
- Tom Ziller of SB Nation ranked the top 75 of those available free agents.
- SB Nation put together offseason "previews" for each team in the league, including the Warriors.
- SB Nation also has a 2014 NBA Free Agency section with the latest news on what's going on.
Who are players that might help the Warriors?
With the situation a bit clearer, the next question is narrowing down some potential targets for the Warriors. The following are some of the prime unrestricted free agents that have been discussed among Warriors fans, organized by broad player type and Ziller's rankings (in parentheses).
Obviously, some members of the Heatles are appealing as well - for now we'll just leave them out as they appear poised to stay put, according to Sam Amick.
Point guard
Darren Collison, Clippers (30)
Jameer Nelson, Magic (N/A)
@NateP_SBN @kpelton Warriors were the first place that I thought, if he has anything left. Haven't seen him play in a while.
— Brian McCormick (@brianmccormick) July 1, 2014
Perimeter
Shaun Livingston, Nets (24)
Patty Mills, Spurs (52)
Anthony Morrow, Pelicans (27)
Rodney Stuckey, Pistons (32)
Post
Channing Frye, Suns (22)
Pau Gasol, Lakers (18)
Spencer Hawes, Cleveland (25)
Jermaine O'Neal, Warriors (39)
Anthony Tolliver, Hornets (unranked)
Ekpe Udoh, Bucks (N/A)
Where should the Warriors' priorities lie?
As discussed regarding Gasol earlier today, the Warriors can't have all these guys. So which ones (or positions) should be their priority? And what might be the best way to maximize those limited resources that Thompson discussed?
Put your thoughts in the comments and we'll continue to keep you updated as the Warriors make moves. As always, feel free to use the fanshots and fanposts to share links and insights with the community.