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When the Golden State Warriors were running the NBA, they were an appealing team to veteran free agents. Players like David West, Shaun Livingston and DeMarcus Cousins all signed with the Dubs at different points between 2014 and 2018.
Now, another former All-Star says he would welcome the opportunity to join the Warriors. Isaiah Thomas took to Twitter and responded to current Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Jared Dudley, who reminded the NBA world not to sleep on Golden State next season.
Don’t forget the Warriors! They will be back and if they’ll healthy with a top 5 pick added to their roster there a top 4 team in the west... https://t.co/ORaz3KCN11
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) August 15, 2020
I need that warriors action. I’ll come off the bench serving!!! https://t.co/0dnyLQHdJD
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) August 15, 2020
Future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade seems to like the idea:
A Healthy Isaiah Thomas Off The Bench https://t.co/Pc6r1oBMQz
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 16, 2020
Thomas isn’t close to being the same player he was when he averaged 27.6 points per game for the Boston Celtics over three seasons before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the summer of 2017. He has played on three different teams since then, with his most recent stop being with the Washington Wizards. Thomas put up 12.2 points and 3.7 assists for the Wizards before being traded to the L.A. Clippers, who waived him after the deal.
Defensive issues make Thomas a liability. He’s only 5’9 and struggles guarding bigger guards. His average net rating over the past four seasons is -18, and his defensive rating hasn’t been lower than 113 during that span, per basketball reference.
As much as Thomas wants this, I don’t see the fit with the Dubs. Golden State needs bigger wing defenders to come off the bench, something Thomas clearly isn’t. He can still contribute on the offensive end, but he is more of an isolation guy who needs the ball in his hands to be effective. That won’t happen in head coach Steve Kerr’s system, who emphasizes ball movement and sharing the rock. The one aspect he would bring his outside shooting. He shot 41.3% from deep last season, and is a career 36.4% shooter from beyond the arc.
If general manager Bob Myers is looking to bolster the bench, Thomas could be had for the veterans minimum.
How do you feel about Thomas lobbying to join the Warriors? Would you like to see Myers take a chance on him?
On to some links:
With the NBA Draft Lottery coming up on Thursday, we will finally know where Golden State will be picking in the top five. Patrick Murray of Forbes looks at the different ways the Dubs can approach the selection.
Alvin Gentry was an assistant coach on the 2015 NBA championship winning Warriors. He will be looking for a new gig, after being fired by the New Orleans Pelicans. (ESPN)
The Stephen Curry - Damian Lillard debate rages on after the former won MVP of the Orlando bubble. NBC Bay Area’s Brian Witt looks at one impressive feat that only Steph and Dame have accomplished.