The Golden State Warriors plan to prioritize upgrading role players around Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler rather than pursuing another star, sources tell The Athletic. The Warriors spent the past 16 months pursuing a star from LeBron James to Paul George to Lauri Markkanen and even Kevin Durant before finally acquiring Butler from the Miami Heat before the trade deadline.
The Warriors have long been connected to Giannis Antetokounmpo, but a deal is unrealistic based on their available assets for a trade package compared to rival teams also interested in him.
The restricted free agency of Jonathan Kuminga is the biggest single variable and it is not yet assured he will leave the team.
Steve Kerr and Mike Dunleavy Jr. are both expected to return next season, as well as Draymond Green.
“I have a great coach and I have a great GM,” Joe Lacob said. “I have no problems with anything in respect to them. Mike made a fantastic trade. Before we made that trade, we were one game under .500 and it didn’t look like we were going anywhere. We won a first-round series against a very good up-and-coming team with a lot of athleticism and size. I thought it was a hell of a win. Got us pretty tired probably for this series, and maybe that was just too much to overcome. In that first game (against Minnesota), Steph looked like he was going to cook, right? But what are we going to do? Stuff happens.”