The Golden State Warriors continue to make an impression.
Stephen Curry and his band of supposed misfits shocked the NBA sphere when they upset the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs and pushed the San Antonio Spurs to six games in the second. They now have our attention. And Dwight Howard’s too, apparently.
According to Mark Medina of the Press-Telegram, Golden State is among Howard’s top-five free-agency destinations:
A source familiar with Howard’s thinking says he plans to test free agency and has considered the Lakers, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Golden State.
Nothing remains binding, though. The source added Howard’s main concern involves “what team he feels has the best chance to win championships, has the best team and system around him.” The source also stressed Howard has not and will not ask the Lakers to make any moves on his behalf.
Talk about a twist. The Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers aren’t new to this soap opera. They’ve been the teams in play since before Dwight even left the Orlando Magic. The Warriors, though? Absolutely not.
Golden State pursued Howard way back when, but talk of him absconding to California via the Warriors subsided when it became clear he wasn’t going to sign with them. Now, more than a year later, they’ve become a preference of his. Because you know, that’s how Dwight’s mind works. He’s indecisive. We know this.
His decision to consider the Warriors this time around isn’t necessarily a bad one, though. Stephen Curry is the elite point guard he’s never had and Mark Jackson likes to preach defense and speak in hyperbole. And he also likes to think the Warriors are an elite defensive unit, even though they’re not. Howard could help him actualize such exaggerated sentiments.
Toss in the potent stylings of Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson, and Golden State has the shooters/star-potential that should entice Howard. And it has. But is it a realistic landing spot? Eh.
Assuming Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins, Carl Landry and Brandon Rush exercise their player options, the Warriors have nearly $75 million committed in payroll next season. To be honest, we’re not actually doing much assuming. Jefferson, Biedrins and Rush are sure to exercise their options. Landry is expected to opt out, in which case the Warriors would have about $71 million on their financial docket.
Unless Howard is planning on signing for the veteran’s minimum or an exception, the Warriors then have to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, which the Warriors can do, because they’re below the “apron” if Landry opts out. They might even be below it if he opts in. The “apron” in question was at $74.3 million this year and is expected to increase. So a trade is a possibility.
The two most notable trade chips? Andrew Bogut and David Lee. That’s why I excluded them previously. Howard can’t look at either of them and say “I want to play with them,” because at least one would have to go. Our question then becomes: Do the Lakers want either of them?
Lee is an All-Star and would allow Pau Gasol to man the center position where he is most effective. He is also on the wrong side of 30 and still recovering from a torn hip flexor he played through during the playoffs. He’s owed more than $44 million over the next three years, which will eat into Los Angeles’ available cap in the summer of 2014.
Bogut’s contract is more conducive with the Lakers’ plans. He will be a free agent after next season and won’t impede the Lakers’ pursuit of LeBron James and any other free agent they please. Bogut, while a defensive stud, is injury prone. Those damn ankles of his have been a headache for the better part of his career. Neither he nor Lee alone would be enough to satiate the Lakers’ appetite.
Would the Warriors be willing to give up one of their young pieces in any deal, say a Thompson or Barnes? It’s tough to say. I mean, this is Dwight freaking Howard, but at the same time, the Warriors have a good thing going. Barnes and Thompson are considered future stars. They’re also part of the reason why Golden State is appealing to Dwight. Giving either one of them up would be beyond tormenting.
Barring anything incredibly crazy, and potentially bone-headed on the Lakers’ behalf, the Warriors are a long shot to land Howard. Which is hardly crippling. They gave up on that dream awhile ago. His interest alone is a victory. It shows how far they’ve come.
And no decision of Dwight’s can take that away from them.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
