Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 5/15/23: Bob Myers ‘torn’ on decision to return next season

Good Morning Dub Nation,

The Golden State Warriors’ season came to an unfortunate, frustrating end on Friday night after losing their second round series to the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2. With the offseason officially underway, questions regarding the future direction of the team are now front and center, beginning with the status of general manager Bob Myers.

As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports, Myers’ contract with the team expires at the end of next month. Although the early postseason exit gives him extra time to sort out his feelings before the June 30th deadline, the longtime Warriors’ general manger remains “torn” on his decision due to the close relationships he has built within the team throughout his tenure. Those feelings are mutual as several Warriors’ players as well as head coach Steve Kerr have expressed they want Myers to return next year.

From the upcoming NBA Draft to negotiating the potential contract extensions for Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, there will be plenty to do between now and June 30th. Myers’ close bond with his players makes him uniquely qualified to lead the organization on those fronts as outlined in this article by ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne.

Via ESPN:

Still, these situations will be delicate. Both Green and Thompson are eligible for extensions. Both will likely have to be open to more team-friendly contracts to stay. Myers is known for his skill in navigating the human factors around such negotiations. But there’s the possibility he might not be there to handle them.

“That’s the one thing that could f--- this all up,” one source close to the situation said after Friday’s elimination game.

During the season, sources say Warriors owner Joe Lacob presented multiple contract extension offers that would make Myers one of the league’s highest-paid executives, even offering him an option to take time off if he preferred. But Myers, sources say, genuinely doesn’t know what he wants to do, and talks have been tabled for some time.

Myers decision will be one of the bigger storylines to follow this offseason for the Warriors. Having said that, although things didn’t work out this season, there is still plenty of optimism that with a couple of roster changes, this remains a championship caliber team.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• Player grades: Game 6
• Draymond Green: ‘I want to be a Warrior for the rest of my life’
• A fitting end to a frustrating season
• Lakers change starting lineup for Game 6
• Warriors Andrew Wiggins will play in Game 6 despite left costal cartilage fracture

Other Warriors News:

• Warriors eliminated, now where does the dynasty stand going into pivotal summer? Here’s what we know (The Athletic)
• Kawakami: Warriors aren’t breaking up the core, but Jordan Poole isn’t part of it (The Athletic)
• ‘This group was maxed’: What comes next for Curry, Thompson, Green and the Warriors dynasty (ESPN)
• Will the Golden State Warriors’ core group stay together after the Game 6 loss to Lakers? (SportsNaut)
• Warriors-Lakers Game 6 reaction: Steph & Klay miss shots + LeBron dominates (Draymond Green Show)

NBA News:

• Ja Morant suspended after video shows Grizzlies star with gun (ESPN)
• Phoenix Suns fire coach Monty Williams after four seasons (ESPN)
• Instant observations: Embiid and Harden complete choke job in Game 7 loss to Celtics (Philly Voice)
• Why the Denver Nuggets are a better team than what the Lakers faced in the NBA bubble (SportsNaut)
• What’s Next for Suns After Season’s Biggest Trade and Another 2nd-Round Exit? (Bleacher Report)