Five players Warriors should be targeting with $9.3M DPE

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The Warriors were dealt a crushing blow just hours prior to the 2020 NBA Draft, when they learned that Klay Thompson had sustained a season-ending Achilles injury. There is no replacing a player like Thompson, but Golden State did as well as could be expected, using a massive traded player exception to acquire Kelly Oubre Jr. in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.And, if the Warriors are going to add another key piece at some point this season, it is very likely to come by way of their $9.3 million disabled player exception [DPE], which they were granted by the league as a result of Thompson's injury. With the DPE, Golden State can sign a free agent for up to $9.3 million, or can acquire a player in a trade whose salary is equal to or less than that value and is on the final year of his contract.The DPE expires on April 19 and the Warriors can use it at any time prior to that date. Here are five players they should be targeting with it.

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1/5

Out of all the players the Warriors can acquire using the DPE, Tucker makes the most sense. He is the best fit for their team and arguably is the best talent available. Tucker remains an above-average player and a proven playoff contributor. He would provide Golden State with further lineup flexibility and some needed experience and toughness.

And, he's likely available for the taking. The Rockets are a powder keg waiting to explode, and their owner reportedly wants to cut payroll. Tucker will make just under $8 million this season in the final year of his contract, and if/when their season truly goes south -- as appears increasingly likely -- Houston won't have much reason to keep him around. 

The Warriors should be ready and waiting with arms wide open.

2/5

The Warriors filled their backup point guard opening with the signing of Brad Wanamaker in free agency, but in the event he doesn't work out or they require another floor general, Rose would be a great get. The former MVP remains an offensive force, having averaged at least 18.0 points per game in three of the last four seasons, including 18.1 points per contest with the Detroit Pistons in 2019-20.

The Pistons just drafted Killian Hayes with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and he is immediately expected to take over starting duties. If they really want to give Hayes room to spread his wings, perhaps they'd consider moving on from Rose, especially since the Pistons are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league. The Warriors don't need Rose now, but circumstances definitely could change over the coming months.

3/5

If the Warriors are looking to add size and shooting with the DPE, they should look no further than Bjelica, who they're well aware checks both boxes. The Sacramento Kings forward is entering his sixth NBA season, and he has shot better than 40.0 percent from 3-point range in each of the last three.

Bjelica, 32, stands 6-foot-10 and currently is involved in a pretty crowded frontcourt. The Kings have other bigs like Marvin Bagley, Richaun Holmes and Hassan Whiteside, and frequently play Harrison Barnes at the four. If Bjelica ends up being one of the odd men out, it likely wouldn't cost Golden State much to acquire him, and he offers a skillset currently lacking on the Warriors' roster. With the Kings unlikely to compete for a playoff spot, they might soon have very little reason to hang on to the pending unrestricted free agent.

4/5

It's easy to understand why the Warriors might be interested in Williams. He's a microwave scorer, capable of putting up points in bunches whenever he gets hot. On top of that, he currently plays for a Western Conference favorite and one of Golden State's Pacific Division rivals, so in adding him, they'd theoretically also weaken their competition.

If the preseason was any indication, the Warriors are going to struggle to generate offense when Steph Curry is off the floor. Williams arguably would be an ideal candidate to lead the second unit. He doesn't offer much defensively, but at the very least, he'd be able to help the Warriors keep their head above water while Curry rests.

Of course, the Los Angeles Clippers would have to be willing to move Williams, but that reportedly is the expectation. If the price is right and the Warriors are in need of some offense, they could do a lot worse than him.

5/5

If the cost to acquire Bjelica proves prohibitive, the Warriors could pivot to Lyles, who is a younger, cheaper and fairly similar alternative. Lyles, 25, is only a 34.1 percent career 3-point shooter, but he has shot better than 38.0 percent from beyond the arc in three of his five NBA seasons, including a 38.7 percent clip with the San Antonio Spurs last season.

Lyles is more athletic than Bjelica, and at 6-foot-9, still offers good size that the Warriors could use in the frontcourt. He might not make as significant of an impact with Golden State as any of the other candidates on this list, but he's also likely the most easily attainable.

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