Golden State Warriors: 5 potential free agency targets in 2018
5. Mario Hezonja and the reclamation project market
The Warriors only have one shot at adding a player over the minimum this summer, and will reserve that spot for a proven veteran who could get more elsewhere. They should even be able to get a ring chaser or two for the veteran’s minimum.
Even after bringing back Durant, using the MLE and adding a couple vets, they will still have two or three roster spots. At least one of those should be devoted to a “reclamation” project — a player who has not succeeded thus far in the NBA, but who has the upside to provide surplus value on a minimum contract.
The dream here would be Mario Hezonja, a former No. 5 overall pick who struggled so mightily through two seasons with the Orlando Magic that he had his fourth-year option declined before last season. He might have been a bit too good in 2017-18 (12.2 points and 1.4 steals per game on 54.6 percent true shooting over his final 59 games) to get for that cheap, but is worth pursuing with a deal featuring a second-year player option. The chance to earn the Nick Young role and play rotational minutes with Golden State’s All-Stars might help him rehab his value.
Option 1A would be Nerlens Noel. The big man who reportedly turned down $70 million last summer seems even less likely to sign for the minimum, but he’s not going to get much more than that no matter where he goes in a market saturated with big men and low on cap space. In Oakland, his versatile defense and ability to catch lobs would give him a chance to push for a major rotational spot.
Both are long shots, but there is a bevy of more realistic targets. If Hezonja goes elsewhere, Golden State should focus in on Glenn Robinson III (a theoretical 3-and-D wing), Wade Baldwin IV (a hypothetical 3-and-D combo guard) or Josh Huestis V (not actually V, but I couldn’t think of anything else to say about him).
In terms of non-Noel bigs, Richaun Holmes is the best fit as an adequate shooter and shot-blocker who can run the floor. And if the center market is what it looks like it will be, throwing a million bucks and a roster spot at a lottery bust like Noah Vonleh might be a realistic option.