The Golden State Warriors are on the verge of winning back-to-back NBA titles with a commanding 3-1 lead. With game 5 set at the Oracle Arena, LeBron James and company face tall odds to get back into the fight of things.
While that is the main concern of NBA fans right now, there is another issue that the Warriors will eventually have to face. And this has something to do with the fact that the Warriors are losing most of their supporting cast as mentioned in a previous post.
At least eight players will be free agents by the time the 2015-16 NBA season wraps up and a lot of them are key bench players. Most have contributed to the Warriors’ cause to date but one name that stands out is Harrison Barnes.
Barnes has been coming off the bench but has been delivering solid minutes. He could be fit as a starter and multiple rebuilding teams are unsurprisingly interested as mentioned on Sporting News. But of course, the Warriors can easily match any offer thrown at the cager in the Summer.
One advantage the Warriors hold is that Barnes is happy in the Bay Area which means he is not likely looking to leave. But just the same, it will come at a price which could be the only problem right now.
With the Warriors locked in on Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the team salary budget is in focus. The team could give in to his demands but how about the others who will be free agents as well.
Aside from Barnes, other Warriors who will become free agents are Festus Ezeli, Andrew Bogut, Leandro Barbosa, Marreese Speights, Anderson Varejao and Brandon Rush. That list alone accounts for key contributions when the chips are down for coach Steve Kerr and company.
While Harrison Barnes is more than likely to be signed, there are scenarios that could change. It includes the rumoured interest on Kevin Durant which would require to unload some of their players – including Barnes.
