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Most of the marquee players in the 2023 Free Agency class have been signed, and despite the Warriors' financial limitations, they've managed to sign, and resign, players that could certainly help the Warriors in their journey to get back to the mountaintop. Prior to the start of free agency, the Warriors had 11 players on the roster for the 2023-2024 season: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis. With a couple of days into free agency, who are some of the additions and losses for the Warriors?
Additions
The first player is a no-brainer, one that had to be resigned by all means necessary, especially after the Jordan Poole trade. We all know who that player is: Draymond Green, an integral part of the Warriors' dynasty, the Splash Brothers' running mate, and simply, the heart and soul of the Warriors' team. People around the league sort of expected that the Warriors had to choose between Jordan Poole and Draymond Green, considering their preseason beef, the Warriors' financial limitations, and the new CBA agreements soon to kick in. The trade of Jordan Poole for Chris Paul gave the Warriors much more financial flexibility, allowing the Warriors to give unrestricted free agent Draymond Green, who had just recently opted out of the final year of his previous contract, the contract that he wanted and deserved. In short, Draymond Green agreed to a 4 year, 100 million dollar contract, with his last year again being a player option. As predicted, the year his new contract ends aligns with the year Steph Curry's contract ends, indicating that the Last Dance for the Warriors' dynasty may truly be upon us.
The second player that the Warriors added to their roster is veteran guard Cory Joseph. With Draymond Green agreeing to a new contract, all the Warriors could work with are minimum deals, hoping to find a diamond in the rough. Cory Joseph isn't flashy or a big name, but he's a veteran presence who can certainly get the job done. Given that Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Chris Paul are bound to receive rest days, Cory Joseph can step in and play the role of a serviceable backup lead guard. He previously played for the Detroit Pistons, where he averaged 6.5 points, 1,7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. However, where he provides immense value is his three-point shooting. In the past 3 seasons, Joseph has averaged a three-point percentage greater than 36%, and last season in particular, he shot 39% from three. And in the Warriors' system, you can never have enough shooting, right?
The final player is Dario Saric, who signed with the Warriors on a veteran minimum. Saric, although again not a flashy signing, will provide great size at 6’10 while also being a stretch big. As for the latest Warriors rumors, Anthony Slater of the Athletic reports that once Rudy Gay hits the buyout market, the Warriors are expected to pursue him for the 14th roster spot.
Losses
The first big loss for the Warriors is Donte Divincenzo, which in all honesty, was to be expected. The Warriors got him on a bargain through the mid-level exception, and with the way he played for the Warriors, serving as a hustle, do-it-all guard, he was bound to receive far greater contract offers which the Warriors didn't have the capability to match. Donte signed with the New York Knicks on a 4-year, 50 million dollar deal, reuniting him with his college teammates in Villanova, Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson. Ty Jerome, a former two-way player for the Warriors, has also found a new home after providing great minutes when the Warriors dealt with injuries. He's signed a 2-year, 4.6 million dollar deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. JaMychal Green and Anthony Lamb remain NBA free agents currently.
All in all, the Warriors' free agency moves weren't going to be flashy by any means, considering their financial limitations. However, they've signed and resigned valuable, key pieces that most likely will play a role in the Warriors' quest for another NBA championship. Now, it seems like all the Warriors need is a big-man signing, with the front office looking at Dario Saric and EuroLeague MVP Georgios Papagiannis as potential candidates.
