With aspirations of returning to the playoffs next season, free agency will be vitally important for the Golden State Warriors despite the limitations they'll have as a team currently above the second-tax apron.
If anything that makes re-signing their own free agents a huge priority for the Warriors, at least those they wish to retain moving forward. Some of those are key pieces like franchise legend Klay Thompson, while others are towards the back end of the roster.
The Golden State Warriors could have up to seven free agents this offseason, many of whom won't be returning to the franchise
Given player and team options, along with potential extensions in the coming weeks, it's not exactly clear how many free agents Golden State will have. Let's look at those players who can become free agents this offseason, ranking them from most likely to least likely of returning to the Warrior roster.
1. Gary Payton II
Gary Payton II left the Warriors in free agency two years ago, but it seems much less likely that he'll depart this time around. The situations couldn't be much different -- Payton was on less than $2 million in 2021-22 and was on the lookout for a reasonable pay increase after developing from the last player on the roster into a key piece on a championship team.
He got that deal from the Portland Trail Blazers, before being dealt back to the Warriors in a trade at last year's mid-season deadline. Yet Payton has been injury-prone since signing that contract, having appeared in just 66 of a possible 164 regular season games.
The defensive-minded guard now has the chance to be a free agent again given he has a $9.1 million player option. Given the injury issues, it's expected Payton will pick up that option and continue his career with the Warriors. The only reason he may opt out is to negotiate a new contract, providing him with more long-term security while giving the Warriors a discount on next year's deal.
2. Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson's free agency is undoubtedly the biggest question facing the franchise right now. It's worth noting that the veteran sharpshooter can still sign an extension beforehand, but it appears inevitable that he'll hit the market as he explores his options.
The Orlando Magic have been the team most linked to Thompson given their cap space this offseason, though they may prioritize Paul George or Malik Monk as similarly-positioned free agents. The Dallas Mavericks have also been floated as a potential destination for the five-time All-Star, though that would have to be through a sign-and-trade rather than outright signing.
Thompson's future may ultimately come down to how much leverage he'll have in the form of offers from rival teams, and whether Golden State are willing to reach to a similar price point. The belief remains that the 34-year-old and the franchise wish to reunite, but the Warriors will still need to show sufficient respect to one of its greatest ever.
3. Lester Quinones
Lester Quinones was converted from a two-way contract to a standard deal in February, and will now enter free agency where the Warriors hold his early bird rights. The 23-year-old showed enough to suggest he can become a legitimate NBA player, including a 20-game stretch mid-season where he averaged 5.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in nearly 15 minutes per game.
