There’s a very good chance that the Golden State Warriors will come away with their third consecutive NBA title this coming June — putting the team in some elite company.
Set to move into waterfront San Francisco arena next year, signs of a dying dynasty just have not been there.
Until now.
Kevin Durant could very well decide to walk from the Warriors this coming summer. Klay Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins are free agents. Meanwhile, Draymond Green wants a new deal.
What is the Warriors’ worst-case scenario following the 2018-19 season? We have you covered below.
Kevin Durant opts to join LeBron in Los Angeles
- Losing Durant to an east coast team would have wide-ranging ramifications for the Warriors. But losing him to a conference rival would be absolutely huge.
- The Lakers have room for two max contract players. If they were able to team James and Durant up with another All-Star, the Lakers would likely be title favorites.
- This would also create somewhat of a resentment from returning member of the Warriors — kinda like what we saw when KD bolted Oklahoma City.
Klay Thompson joins Kevin Durant with the Lakers
- Thompson has said numerous times that he wants to finish his career with the Warriors. But in reality, the ball is not in his court.
- Sure Golden State’s brass is willing to do everything possible from a financial perspective to retain its core group.
- With that said, owner Joe Lacob and Co. continue to have their eye on the future. If retaining Thompson on a max deal handcuffs the team long term, the brass could come to the conclusion that he’s not worth it.
DeMarcus Cousins takes larger offer from the Rockets
- The most Golden State can offer Cousins to re-sign is a modest raise from the small one-year, $5.4 million contract he’s playing under this season.
- Given that Cousins was set to earn a max contract in the summer of 2018 prior to suffering an Achilles injury last season, there’s a good chance he’ll be offered a lucrative contract.
- Cousins has reportedly indicated a willingness to return to the Warriors on a short-term deal if a promise were made he’d be extended on a max deal in summer of 2020.
- That’s fine. But can the Warriors’ brass actually make this promise? We’re not entirely too sure.
- Adding Cousins would enable Houston to flip star center Clint Capela for yet another piece to surround James Harden with.
Andre Iguodala retires
- If Golden State were to win the title this June, there’s a good chance the 35-year-old Iguodala would call it quits. He’s playing less minutes this season and the Warriors seem to be saving him for the playoffs.
- Golden State’s depth has taken a hit in recent years. If the team were to lose Iggy, that’d be magnified even further.
So does Steve Kerr
- Kerr’s back problems are already well known. They caused him to miss extensive time in two of his four seasons as the Warriors’ head coach.
- Let’s say Golden State does win a third consecutive title. If the team were blown up, why would Kerr even consider returning?
- Kerr is a family man. This is already well known. There’s nothing stopping him from making his coaching career shorter than it should be.