Report: Warriors and Knicks have commercial interest in nine-time All-Star originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
After missing the NBA playoffs last season for the third time in 12 years, the Warriors are looking to make a big splash this offseason to significantly bolster their roster.
Although it is not clear what the The result will be with Klay Thompson. With the franchise’s star on the verge of hitting free agency, one NBA insider believes Golden State could look at another veteran NBA superstar on the open market.
“I’m pretty sure the Warriors are just as interested in (Paul) George as the (New York) Knicks, maybe more.” Marc Stein, NBC Sports contributor wrote in its last substack.
Stein added that there is “a growing feeling” around the league that it is increasingly realistic for George to exercise his $48.8 million player option for next season to force the Los Angeles Clippers to trade him after months of “unsuccessful” contract extension negotiations.
George has until Saturday, one day before free agency begins, to decide whether or not to exercise his $48.8 million player option for next season.
The Warriors are “aggressively” exploring trade options, Stein reported, with veteran guard Chris Paul at the center of those efforts. Golden State has until Friday to exercise or decline Paul’s $30 million team option for next season.
Along with Thompson, George has been among the big names associated with several teams interested in making a splash in free agency. If the team that lands him turns out to be Golden State, George’s former Clippers teammate Patrick Beverley would certainly be thrilled.
It’s hard to imagine Dub Nation disagreeing.
With Steph Curry and Draymond Green under contract, along with coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors will likely maximize the next two seasons around their core, with or without Thompson. While there appear to be big advantages to his youth, with players like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis on the rise, his focus could be on the now rather than the future.
That’s why players like George and Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, who have been linked to Golden State this offseason, could make sense for a talented but mature team ready to win now. The team hasn’t expressed any desire to move on from any of its youth pieces so far, but Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy discussed the possibility Monday during his pre-draft news conference.
“Everyone is making decisions right now, whether it’s about future draft picks or current players,” Dunleavy said. “Everyone is trying to improve, so everyone is exploring and asking questions. It’s good that the phones are ringing and there is interest in our boys, that’s a good sign for the level and quality they are at.
“However, that doesn’t mean we’re overly committed to it.”
NBA free agency begins Sunday at 3 p.m. PT.