The Golden State Warriors don’t have many gaps to fill this offseason. Their young core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes and David Lee figures to be a group that will determine the success or shortcomings of the team.
One of the strengths of the Warriors was their improved bench, featuring Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry. Jack is a free agent and Landry has a $4 million player option. In short, both could leave Golden State for more money, which is especially possible in Jack’s case.
Replacing Jack or Landry wouldn’t be an easy task. But if you’ll recall, Brandon Rush is due back from an ACL injury. He’s a shooter that will basically act as an addition after missing all of 2012-13. Rush does have a player option worth $4 million, but it’s unlikely that he’ll put that into use given that he’s coming off a serious injury.
The Warriors’ budget is pretty restricted, as they’re on the borderline of the luxury tax. So, they will need to dig deep for some cheaper alternatives.
Let’s take a look:
Nate Robinson has been the Bulls’ unsung hero. Photo Credit: Shinya, Flickr.com
Realistically, Jarrett Jack will find a starting gig with a different team that will offer him starter’s money. While success does factor into a player’s discussion to leave, it’s hard to see Jack passing up a hefty contract, even if the Warriors muster a surprising postseason run that lands them a spot in the Finals.
So, the Warriors will need to find a backup point guard, preferably a cost-efficient one.
If you’ll recall, Charles Jenkins was in line to assume the backup role if Jack left. Jenkins is no longer an option, though, after he was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline. He would’ve been the ideal internal replacement. He knew the Warriors’ system and had shown flashes of brilliance. Plus, he was cheap.
Nate Robinson won’t come for a dirt-cheap price tag, but he isn’t going to deliver a dirt-cheap product either. Robinson amassed 34 points in thrilling Game 4 win against the Brooklyn Nets. In the regular season, he averaged 13.1 points.
Mainly due to Jack and Landry, Golden State’s bench was extremely good in 2012-13. It wasn’t deep as say the Los Angeles Clippers’ bench, but it was top heavy, with consistent contributions from Jack and Landry. If Golden State loses even a half of that puzzle, then they lose one of their main weapons. Robinson isn’t the “true” point guard that Jack is, but he can provide a scoring splurge off the bench.
Ivan Johnson brings a lot of energy to the table. Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule
The Warriors’ bench ranked sixth in the NBA in the rebounding department this year, but if Landry leaves, they will again find themselves with a glaring hole. And cheap size isn’t easy to find.
Ivan Johnson isn’t a carbon copy of Landry. He leans more on the energy side of the spectrum, doing the gritty work that doesn’t always show up in the box score. Still, he averaged 15.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals over a 36-minute basis.
Johnson is making a few thousand less than the $1 million plateau this season. It’s hard to see him garnering a significant raise from the Atlanta Hawks, his current employer. The only scenario that would promote that idea would be if Josh Smith departs for greener pastures, which would leave a hole at their starting power forward spot. Even then, his demands shouldn’t surpass $5 million.
Jose Calderon’s veteran presence could help the Golden State Warriors if Jarrett Jack doesn’t re-sign. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com
Nate Robinson is one route for the Warriors to explore, but Jose Calderon might be the better gamble if they want to add a more polished point guard.
A long-time member of the Toronto Raptors, Calderon was dealt to the Detroit Pistons in late January. He saw his minutes increase from 28.3 per game with the Raptors to 31.7 per game with the Pistons, but he averaged just 11.6 points, and even his assist totals decreased.
At 31 years old, he’s evidently lost a couple steps, but he’s coveted for controlling the tempo of the game, not explosive scoring or penetration. After all, his career-high in points for is merely 12.8.
Stephen Curry is the man in Golden State, but a bench featuring Calderon isn’t too shabby.