The Golden State Warriors have been extremely quiet this offseason, barring the drama involving Jonathan Kuminga‘s ongoing contract negotiations. Although the Dubs reportedly have verbal agreements on signing three key players this offseason, the team hasn’t been able to complete any deal at the moment.
Instead, Golden State has opted to bide its time, prioritizing Kuminga’s situation before making further moves. While this could have some merit, the delays have raised concerns about their pending free agent signings.
As the situation drags on, the Warriors find themselves in a tougher spot, potentially risking their targets showing an inclination to sign elsewhere. However, even in these dire circumstances, the Dubs have an unexpected opportunity that might be worth exploring.
The Miami Heat were recently linked with free agent big man Trey Lyles and Kai Jones. Considering that Jones was working out for the team, it was expected that either he or Lyles would eventually be picked up to address Miami’s frontcourt shortcomings.
Instead, the Heat opted to re-sign 27-year-old guard Dru Smith to a three-year deal, effectively relegating Jones and Lyles as potential signings.
While this leaves Miami without any backup in the big man rotation, the Warriors could make the most of this to pursue signing one or both of these players on team-friendly contracts.
Jones has a lot of upside as an athletic big man. Despite his controversial past, the 24-year-old has showcased a lot of potential as a capable player in the rotation. At 6’11”, he possesses tremendous agility and jumping ability. Although his technical ability is limited, he is a legitimate threat on the open floor as a rim-runner.
Last season, Jones’ overall average doesn’t paint a complete picture of his ability to contribute. Given the limited playing time he received with the Clippers, the 24-year-old was restricted in his role. But in a more flexible situation like with the Mavericks, Jones demonstrated his ability to be an inside threat and contributor on both ends of the floor.
In 12 games for Dallas, he recorded an average of 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, while shooting 83.6% from the field. Although he has a limited skill set, Jones has displayed his ability to play within his role and contribute to winning.
Meanwhile, Lyles also poses as a valuable free agent signing, should the Warriors consider him. At 6’9″, the former Kings forward is a capable player, but very different from someone like Jones.
Effectively playing the role of a floor spacer, Lyles leverages a reliable stroke from the perimeter to contribute to games. His assets include his versatility as an offensive player, his intellect, and his veteran experience.
Having spent nine years in the league, Lyles is familiar with playing within a system. This would allow him to adapt and assimilate into the Warriors quite easily. At 29 years old, he is capable of bringing about a balanced outlook to an otherwise aging roster.
Last season, he recorded an average of 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds, while shooting 42.0% from the field and 34.0% from three-point range. Given his style of play, he would pair well with other frontcourt players such as Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Quinten Post.
The only downside is his lack of athleticism, which makes him a limited defensive and rebounding presence. While the offense is certainly an upside, the Dubs’ lack of size indicates that they need all the rebounding help they can get.
All things considered, Golden State may be better off viewing Jones as a priority signing. Given what he brings to the table, the Warriors might benefit from having more variety in their offensive sets. With added depth in the frontcourt, they may also be able to give potential starting big man Al Horford more rest.
The Warriors Must Resolve The Kuminga Situation
The negotiations with Kuminga have effectively delayed all pending signings, and while the young star has the luxury to stay patient, the Dubs may not.
Given that there has been a breakdown in communication between the two parties, it is unlikely that the terms will be agreed upon any time soon. While the Warriors remain keen on retaining the forward, he has expressed his desire to leave this season itself.
At the current juncture, neither side seems willing to budge, although there is an increasing possibility of Kuminga accepting the $7.9 million qualifying offer. While this would see him return to action with the team next season, this may not be the best possible outcome for the locker room in light of all the offseason drama.
Resolving this situation as soon as possible should be a priority. With a very small window for title contention with this core, the Warriors need to form the most capable team possible to improve their chances of competing.
