The Golden State Warriors had an exceptionally busy and successful offseason. Here are reviews and grades for the transactions made by the 2017 NBA champions.
The front office of the Golden State Warriors barely had time to bask in the celebration of the team’s 2017 NBA championship before having to shift focus to the looming free agency period. With only five players under contract for the 2018 season and beyond, the executives for the Warriors were in line for a busy summer.
Not only did the Warriors re-sign key free agents, they also brought aboard veteran rotation players and promising rookie prospects. Kevin Durant accepted a contract for less money than what similar superstars were getting paid. Also, veterans of various ages and backgrounds decided to take a pay cut in order to compete for a championship.
Depending on how 2018 and future seasons play out, the summer of 2017 could prove to be a historically good one for the Golden State Warriors. Here we review and grade each of the offseason transactions made by the world champions.
Drafting Jordan Bell (PF)
The Golden State Warriors bought their way into the 2017 NBA Draft by trading cash considerations to the Chicago Bulls for the draft rights to the 38th pick. The player the Warriors sought was Jordan Bell out of the University of Oregon.
Bell is primarily a rebounder and defensive prospect, but he also has the ability to finish around the rim. Glimpses of his defensive potential were on display for the Warriors in the NBA Summer League.
Fun fact every shot in the video was blocked with my left hand lol https://t.co/r6sm8Xa09l
— Jordan Bell (@1jordanbell) July 15, 2017
Jordan Bell’s ability to defend the rim with both hands sets him apart and is a rare talent among defenders. As a rookie, he will have the distinct privilege of learning the nuances of the professional game from Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green and veteran David West. Barring an injury to either of those two players, Bell should only expect to see small spurts of playing time.
Although Jordan Bell will most likely not be a major contributor to the team this year, he will be part of the future for the Golden State Warriors. It appears that the Warriors’ front office made an excellent move by trading for the rights to Jordan Bell. He displayed his potential in Summer League and his game will certainly benefit and mature under the veteran guidance in Oakland.
Grade: A+
Chris Boucher’s two-way deal (C)
The Golden State Warriors and former Oregon standout Chris Boucher agreed to terms on a two-way contract after Boucher went undrafted this summer. The two-way contract will allow Boucher to spend up to 45 days on the Warriors’ roster while spending the remaining time with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League.
This arrangement allows Boucher time to develop his game while rehabbing from an ACL injury suffered late in the college season.
During his time at Oregon, Boucher displayed elite shot-blocking abilities and a growing offensive game. Boucher left Oregon after averaging nearly three blocks per game while chipping in 12 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest. His height, length and frame make him an ideal rim-protector in the modern NBA.
Along with the maturation of his defensive game, one area of focus for Chris Boucher this year will be his offensive development. Boucher is an excellent finisher at the rim and showed 3-point range while shooting 35 percent from deep last year for the Ducks.
There is zero pressure on Chris Boucher to be ready to contribute this year for the Warriors. Instead, they will treat him with caution and monitor his workload as he rehabs from injury. If Boucher is able to bounce back from knee surgery and remain healthy, this transaction could be an absolute steal for the Golden State Warriors.
Grade: A
Re-signing Stephen Curry (PG)
The Warriors and Steph Curry set another record together when, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, they agreed to terms on a “supermax” five-year contract worth $201 million. That record has since been broken by James Harden and the Houston Rockets, who agreed to a four-year extension worth $228 million.
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Harden’s deal is actually even more lucrative considering the lack of state income tax in Texas. MVP Russell Westbrook has reportedly been offered an extension by the Oklahoma City Thunder that would eclipse Curry’s deal as well.
While Curry may have been supplanted by Kevin Durant as the alpha dog on the Warriors, his unique skill-set remains every bit as vital to their success. His willingness to sacrifice individual statistics and wealth for the good of the team has been equally important during this title stretch. The talent level and depth that the Golden State Warriors possess is epitomized by the fact that players other than Curry won the NBA Finals MVP trophy in 2015 and 2017.
The Golden State Warriors have generally gotten a discount on each of Steph Curry’s previous contracts. Due to injuries and sacrifice by Curry, the Warriors have been able to pay him less than other superstars of his caliber. This offseason, the Warriors front office paid up and still managed to seemingly catch a break.
Grade: A+
Re-signing Shaun Livingston (PG)
According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, backup point guard Shaun Livingston and the Golden State Warriors agreed to a three-year contract worth $24 million. Livingston is arguably the best backup point guard in the game today and could be in the starting lineup for a number of NBA teams. He has found a home with the Warriors and is one of the first players off the bench for the Dubs.
His combination of height, length and quickness make Shaun Livingston a threat on both ends of the floor. On the defensive end, Livingston is an excellent defender who uses his speed and length to harass opponents. On offense, he is one of the few players with a deadly midrange jumper and has superior post-up skills.
Although he is a point guard by nature, Shaun Livingston does not need to dominate the basketball in order to be effective. He complements his jumper with a combination of backdoor cuts and post-ups while rarely attempting a 3-pointer. Livingston is a throwback to a different era of hoops, which is perhaps why he thrives in his current role.
Shaun Livingston’s career was derailed early on by a devastating knee injury. Before joining the Warriors for the 2015 season, the future of his career was uncertain. After two titles in three years, hopefully he can remain healthy and continue to be a factor for the Warriors in the years to come.
Grade: A
Re-signing David West (PF)
According to NBA insider David Aldridge, David West has reportedly agreed to return for another year with the Golden State Warriors, after which he will retire from the NBA.
West left the Indiana Pacers and a guaranteed $12.2 million after the 2014-15 NBA season in order to try and win a ring before retiring. After spending the 2015-16 season with the San Antonio Spurs, he signed with the Dubs and finally completed his championship quest.
West brings an aggressive attitude to the floor each night and offers an edge that others on the team cannot provide. Though he is no longer the offensive threat and rebounding artist that he once was, David West can still offer quality minutes at the power forward position.
West clearly values titles over salary at this point in his career, and the veteran’s minimum contract that he has agreed to is further proof of that. He is comfortable with his role as a veteran presence and offers productive depth in the frontcourt for the Warriors. West will also be able to mentor rookie Jordan Bell, which is invaluable and makes this deal even sweeter for Golden State.
Grade: A+
Re-signing Andre Iguodala (SF)
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Golden State Warriors and Andre Iguodala agreed to a three-year deal worth $48 million. Iguodala briefly tested the free agent market this summer before ultimately deciding to stay with the Warriors. He has been an integral piece of the Golden State title run despite a lack of gaudy stats and with reduced minutes coming off the bench.
Iguodala is perhaps best known for his 2015 NBA Finals MVP award. His defense on LeBron James during the last three Finals has drawn praise each year. This, despite James scoring over 30 points a game and becoming the first player to average a triple-double in the Finals. Rather than a knock on Iguodala, this a reflection of the transcendent dominance of LeBron when a player can average those types of numbers and the defense can still get recognition.
What is concerning for the Warriors is that Andre Iguodala will be 36 years old by the end of this contract. By the 2020 season, Iguodala’s productivity will largely be based on how his athleticism holds up. Regardless, he can help offset his eventual physical decline by continuing to develop his jumper.
Last year, Iggy averaged career highs in overall field goal percentage as well as 2-point shooting percentage. By solidifying his outside shooting, Iguodala will ensure that he is ready for the next phase of his career.
While securing and re-signing Andre Iguodala was a goal that the Warriors set and accomplished this summer, the price was heavier than they would have liked. For an aging forward whose value is largely based on his defensive contributions, this deal could hurt in the long-term. However, winning is the great equalizer and another championship or two during the course of Iguodala’s contract will easily justify the extra money spent.
Grade: B
Keeping Kevin Durant (SF)
According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, Kevin Durant reportedly agreed to return to the Golden State Warriors on a two-year deal worth approximately $53 million. The second year will be a player-option that will allow Durant and the Warriors similar financial flexibility in the summer of 2018. Just like other members of the Warriors, Durant is leaving money on the table in order to help the team repeat as champions.
The defending champs benefited tremendously from the cap-friendly contract that Kevin Durant agreed to sign this summer. The deal was critical to the Warriors’ ability to re-sign key free agents such as Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Zaza Pachulia. The extra money Durant left on the table also went toward signing newcomers Nick Young and Omri Casspi.
The last two offseasons, Durant has shown the willingness to sacrifice personal statistics and wealth in order to win championships. His 2017 NBA Finals MVP award has stirred debate as to whether he has surpassed LeBron James as the best player in the game.
For now, even if Durant is not the top player in the league, it is clear that he is the best player on the best team. It is an easy day for management when a player like Kevin Durant agrees to a salary that is well below what he could and should demand.
Grade: A+
Signing Omri Casspi (SF)
Over the Fourth of July weekend, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Omri Casspi had agreed to join the Warriors for the 2017-18 season. The Dubs already possessed what is one of the greatest collections of shooters ever assembled. By adding Casspi to the roster, the Warriors gain yet another 3-point threat at the forward position.
Casspi is coming off one of the worst years of his career due to trades and injuries. At 28 years old, he has started 138 games in his career while averaging 11.8 points per game as recently as 2015-16. Omri Casspi not only brings shooting depth, he is a skilled passer and is not afraid of the big stage.
The Golden State Warriors were fortunate to land Casspi on a veteran’s minimum contract this offseason. When healthy, he is a capable scorer who can also create opportunities for his teammates.
His experience and ability to stretch the floor will benefit the Warriors throughout the regular season and playoffs. The Warriors are taking a chance considering Omri Casspi’s recent injury history, but the price of his minimum salary is well worth the risk.
Grade: A+
Signing Nick Young (SG)
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Nick Young has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal worth $5.2 million. Young has the opportunity, like former Washington Wizards teammate JaVale McGee, to positively alter his image after spending a year with Golden State.
Young possesses deep shooting range and a quick release on his jumper, which make him dangerous on the wing.
The bench for the Warriors struggled at times to create their own shots when most or all of their four All-Stars were resting. The additions of Nick Young and Omri Casspi make sure that a lack of playmakers will not be an issue this year. While Young is primarily a shooting guard, he could provide minutes at the small forward position if the situation required it.
Nick Young’s role on this Golden State Warriors team will be to hit open jumpers and make good decisions with the basketball. He will also need to improve his overall defense in order to maximize his contributions off the bench. The Warriors are more interested in seeing the experienced veteran side of Nick Young rather than his alter ego, “Swaggy P.”
Nick Young is taking a discount with the anticipation that a positive season will result in a longer and more lucrative contract next summer. The results could be a win-win situation for both Young and the Warriors.
Grade: B+
Re-signing Zaza Pachulia (C)
According to USA TODAY’s Sam Amick, the Warriors have agreed to a one-year deal with center Zaza Pachulia. The deal is reportedly for $3.5 million and secures the return of last season’s entire starting lineup for the Warriors.
Pachulia proved to be a solid contributor despite playing fewer than 20 minutes a game. He made the most of his offensive opportunities and averaged a career high in field goal percentage.
Zaza Pachulia managed to fit right in with the defensive culture of the Warriors. Even with reduced floor time, Pachulia tied a career high in blocks per game while averaging nearly one steal per contest.
After more than a decade in the league, Pachulia will likely have his minutes monitored by the Warriors this season. If so, backup center JaVale McGee and rookie forward Jordan Bell are the most likely candidates to pick up those extra minutes.
Thanks to financial sacrifices by multiple members of the team, the Warriors were able to ensure that their starting five would return with a chance to repeat as champions. The one-year contract that Pachulia agreed upon is worth more than the veteran’s minimum salary, but is in line with their other signings. This is an excellent transaction for the Warriors given his experience and potential contributions.
Grade: A
Re-signing JaVale McGee (C)
According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, the Golden State Warriors completed their 15-man active roster by signing JaVale McGee to a one-year minimum contract. The 2016-17 season appeared to be a turning point in McGee’s career. Even though he averaged a career low in minutes per game, McGee was an important part of the second unit for the eventual world champions.
Prior to joining the Warriors, McGee bounced around the NBA, playing for four other NBA teams since being drafted 18th overall by the Washington Wizards in 2008.
The winning culture and work ethic established by the Warriors in recent years clearly had an impact on JaVale McGee. He had a defined role all season as the backup center and thrived in that capacity. Playing with great players makes the game easier and McGee seemed to play with more confidence as the season progressed.
McGee’s role this season will essentially be the same as last season, but could conceivably grow larger based on his past performances. He could have landed a larger contract with a different team but decided that the Warriors were equally worth waiting on and taking a discount for. Organizations dream of scenarios where both role players and superstars agree to take less money in order to win titles.
Grade: A+
Overall Grade
The Golden State Warriors nailed their 2017 offseason moves. They were able to solidify their bench while acquiring prospects for the future. The salaries and length of contracts that were signed by free agents ranged from bargain to record-setting. The Dubs are now ready for their quest to become only the third franchise to repeat as champions since the year 2000.
The Warriors made moves this offseason that set them up well for the short- and long-term. They re-signed free agents JaVale McGee, Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, David West, Zaza Pachulia, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. They also managed to sign free agent shooters Omri Casspi and Nick Young, and added forward Jordan Bell through the second round of the draft before signing center Chris Boucher to a two-way contract with the Santa Cruz Warriors.
The 2017 offseason will go down as perhaps one of the greatest hauls in the history of free agency. The losses of Ian Clark and James Michael McAdoo will hardly be noticed in the upcoming season. The free agents that were signed and the drafting of Jordan Bell have the Warriors in a position to repeat as champions and further tighten their grip on the NBA.
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While they may not go 74-8 and no championship is guaranteed, this team will be remembered as one of the greatest collections of talent ever.
Overall Grade: A+