The Golden State Warriors presented an aggressive outlook towards roster construction heading into the offseason. But with free agency open and the offseason well underway, the Dubs are yet to make any significant positional upgrades.
Much of the Warriors’ current plight with roster building can be attributed to some pending decisions that need to be made about players on the roster. Restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is one such asset that the team has struggled to handle.
Kuminga’s demands from the Warriors’ organization won’t be easy to meet. But facilitating a trade for him has also proven to be a challenge since teams have been hesitant to pursue restricted free agents.
With these factors becoming obstacles in the way, Golden State is stuck in place, and the longer they wait, the more troublesome the situation will become.
Instead, the Dubs could consider making smaller additions in free agency to improve upon their current roster.
Considering that the team intends to build around their core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, the outlook can be considered relatively positive since the changes won’t require major overhauls.
The free agency market hasn’t been kind to the team thus far, but the Warriors can still explore some options. Considering their decision to pivot from their usual “small ball” approach, the Dubs could look at former ROTY Ben Simmons as a potential candidate.
The notion of Simmons joining the Warriors was presented by Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, and there may be some merit to it.
Ben Simmons’ availability on the free agency market is a positive sign, especially for a team like Golden State. Considering the kind of role Draymond Green plays as a defensive specialist and facilitator, Simmons could do well to slot in behind the forward as a replacement off the bench.
Ever since his initial run with the Philadelphia 76ers, the 6’10” guard has struggled to find consistent form in the league. While his short stint with the Brooklyn Nets inspired some confidence in a resurgence in performance, injuries and inconsistency kept him sidelined.
Simmons played with the Los Angeles Clippers to close out the 2024-25 campaign. Coming off the bench for the team, he notched an average of 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. But it is also important to note that he received very little playing time, averaging only 16.4 minutes per game.
It goes without saying that Simmons’ strength doesn’t lie in his scoring capabilities. Although his playmaking certainly demands more attention, the 28-year-old presents much more upside as a defensive player.
At 6’10”, he boasts elite athleticism and tremendous length. His agility allows him to stay in front of most guards in the league while his height and strength helps him stand firm against bigger players in the frontcourt.
The potential for Simmons to be a contributor off the bench for the Warriors is immense. The real challenge lies in how healthy and how motivated he will be over the course of an entire season.
While the presence of inspiring leaders like Curry and Green, as well as a coach like Kerr, should bring the best out of a player, concerns about his motor will remain.
As a free agent, the Dubs could still take a flyer on the 28-year-old, especially considering how team-friendly his contract could be. With several tools available to them, including the mid-level exception, the Warriors could benefit by getting their offseason plans going.
Meanwhile, Simmons will also garner interest from other teams on the market. With the potential to be a valuable asset, the guard should find some suitors in the market soon.
