The Golden State Warriors could use some reinforcements. By the end of their second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, they were playing some guys who probably would be fully riding the bench on better teams. That’s why the Warriors’ free agency moves are going to be key to next season and the future.
One player who just became available is Russell Westbrook. Westbrook declined his player option with the Denver Nuggets on Friday and now will enter the summer as a free agent.
Westbrook’s free agency candidacy adds an interesting wrinkle to this year’s free agent market. Westbrook has been loved and hated on his myriad of teams since leaving the Thunder, and whoever ends up signing him will get all the good and all the bad that comes with him.
For Golden State, he presents an interesting option for a bench role. The Westbrook-Warriors fit is one that could go very well or very poorly.
On the one hand, the Warriors need Westbrook’s energy and production. Even at 36 years old, Westbrook played in 75 games for the high-seeded Denver Nuggets last season. Westbrook’s stats were fairly impressive as well, notching 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in almost 28 minutes per game.
The Warriors need a player like Westbrook to take some load off of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler during the regular season.
What they don’t need is the erratic play, the turnovers, and the lack of shooting. As the Warriors’ free agency plans become clearer, we will likely find out if they are looking for more battle-tested veterans like Westbrook or young guns to help their vets next season. Regardless, it is interesting to think about what a Westbrook-Warriors fit could look like.
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