The Warriors, along with just about every other NBA team, will make Kevin Durant a priority this offseason. However, in the likely event that they don’t land Durant, the Warriors are compiling a list of other free agents to target, per ESPN’s Marc Stein and Marc J. Spears:
ESPN reported last week that Golden State is “all-in” on the pursuit of Durant, but sources said this week that the 2015 champions plan to retain Barnes and try to sign a proven big man — sources say Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, David West and Timofey Mozgov are all potential targets — if Durant stays with Oklahoma City or chooses to sign with another team.
The fact that the Warriors are reportedly eyeing four big men seems indicative that they would be willing to let free agent center Festus Ezeli walk. However, Spears and Stein write that the Warriors hope to re-sign Ezeli:
The Warriors would also like to retain free-agent center Festus Ezeli, but how they fare in the Durant chase will play a big role in determining his fate.
Ezeli’s play this season likely earned him a large pay raise. Despite the fact that the league is trending towards small-ball, big men who can protect the rim are still highly coveted. Plus, Ezeli is only 26 years old, and has plenty of time to develop on the offensive end.
