Following their trade to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat, the Golden State Warriors find themselves in a difficult situation roster-wise. With Quinten Post’s two-way contract being converted to a regular one on Friday, the Dubs currently only have 12 players on the roster after having to send four players away to make the transaction work.
The Warriors can add up to four players to the roster in the coming weeks?three on regular contracts and one on a two-way contract?as they currently only have 12 players on standard contracts and two on two-way deals. Financially speaking, though, that might not be possible for the Dubs because they are hard-capped at the first tax apron and are so near it that it will be challenging for them to fill the roster.
Before they hit the first apron, the Warriors have precisely $1,372,306 in wiggle room, according to Spotrac. With one more two-way player (Pat Spencer) converted, they might have 14 players eligible for the playoffs, which gives them exactly one extra roster place to deal with on the buyout market (on a prorated minimum contract).
In order to fill at least one roster position, the Warriors may choose to seek the following players on the buyout market.
Simmons, Ben
Ben Simmons (10) of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before the game at Toyota Center against the Houston Rockets. Images by Erik Williams-Imagn
A lot of Warriors supporters are speculating about Ben Simmons joining the squad. It may also be feasible from a cap standpoint; as the Warriors are not an apron team, they are free to sign any buyout player for the 2024?25 campaign, regardless of their starting salary.
Simmons is a very desirable target for clubs looking for another player they can run the offense around because of his playmaking and versatility in different positions. Simmons might approximate Draymond Green’s defensive effect while serving as a dribble handoff hub in the Warriors’ system.
Unfortunately, Simmons has a lot of health-related concerns in addition to being a very passive player when it comes to scoring the hoop. The Warriors could benefit from adding the 28-year-old forward on paper, but they could be better suited using the little funds they have to complete the roster to sign a more reliable player. Not that they’re in a position to be betting on the upside.
Brown, Bruce
Required Credit: Imagn Images/Dan Hamilton
Now, Bruce Brown is the one for whom the Warriors should make the most of their remaining usable funds. Brown is an intelligent athlete who enjoys making big plays, and he demonstrated in 2023 that he could be a valuable member of the Denver Nuggets, a team that won a championship.
Brown’s defensive work rate and ability to move without the basketball more than make up for his lack of knockdown shooting prowess. He is the perfect example of a winning player, and he might have a significant impact on a team like the Dubs that has competing goals.
It’s unclear for now, though, if Brown will be going on the market. In order to preserve Brown’s Bird rights, the New Orleans Pelicans may choose to keep him. The Warriors, however, had best keep an eye on this area.
Bogdanovic, Bojan
During the first quarter at Kaseya Center, Bojan Bogdanovic (44) of the New York Knicks drives to the basket, passing Caleb Martin (16) and Nikola Jovic (5) of the Miami Heat. USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Navarro
Nemanja Bjelica, a sweet-shooting European big man, was a member of the Warriors’ lineup the previous time they won the championship. This is not to imply that Bogdanovic and Bjelica are the same player; Bogdanovic is better at handling the ball, but Bjelica is more defensively versatile.
However, Bogdanovic’s injury problems have prevented him from playing at all this season. Although it is encouraging that he has been cleared to play on the court, can the Warriors risk what little money they have left on a guy who isn’t sure to be a key member of the team in the final stretch?
Brogdon, Malcolm
Malcolm Brogdon, 15, a guard for the Washington Wizards, poses for a picture at Capital One Arena during Washington Wizards media day in 2024. ? Geoff Burke, via Imagn Pictures
Malcolm Brogdon would rise to the top of the list of the most skilled players on the buyout market right away if he were to be acquired. Since Brogdon isn’t just a pick-and-roll guard like Dennis Schroder, he can fit in lot better with the Dubs’ movement-and-pass-based offensive scheme. The Warriors could certainly use a man with his skill set.
Like some of the other players on this list, Brogdon is also susceptible to injury. But when he’s feeling well, Brogdon has been demonstrating that he still has some energy left. Since he has been playing for teams who are headed to the lottery, one might argue that he hasn’t been playing as much during the last 1.5 seasons. Additionally, he won’t be expected to play a significant part for the Warriors because he should become Stephen Curry’s reliable backup point guard.
Curry, Seth
During the fourth quarter at Chase Center, Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry (left) and Charlotte Hornets guard Seth Curry (right) converse. Images by Darren Yamashita
Given how slowly the Charlotte Hornets are progressing, it would seem that some of its players aren’t going to be with the team for very long. Veteran guard Seth Curry is one of those players who might be looking for better opportunities in the upcoming weeks. And who could overlook the excitement that the Warriors would experience if the Curry siblings were reunited?
Unfortunately, at this point, bringing in the younger Curry might just be a novelty act. Even though he hasn’t played much this season, the 34-year-old shooting guard is still a very good shooter, as evidenced by his 45.1 percent three-point shooting rate. But is it really the Dubs’ intention to bolster their squad by signing an undersized guard?
Nance, Larry Jr.
Larry Nance Jr. (22) of the Hawks warms up ? Dale Zanine/Imagn Images
Larry Nance Jr. is the least probable player on this list to make it to the buyout market. Nance is adored by the Atlanta Hawks, who have reportedly been rejecting trade offers for him. Therefore, it doesn’t appear that the Warriors will be able to bring him in.
Nance, on the other hand, seems like the perfect addition to the Warriors since he is a versatile big man who can shoot threes, get up for lobs, and has a high basketball IQ. In addition, he has always been a welcome presence in the locker room.
