The Warriors should circle Oct. 16 and Oct. 18 on their calendars.
The former is the new date of the NBA draft and the latter marks the start of the free-agency negotiating period, the league confirmed Saturday. Both dates were moved from the summer due to the NBA suspending its season for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news.
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Both dates will mark major moments as the Warriors try to chart a path back to NBA title contention.
Golden State had the NBA's worst record (15-50) when the season was suspended due to the coronavirus in March. The Warriors had appeared in the NBA Finals in each of the preceding five seasons and won three championships during that stretch.
Klay Thompson's recovery from a torn ACL and Steph Curry's broken hand firmly entrenched the Warriors in the cellar this season, but the draft and free agency could offer a way out. Golden State is guaranteed a top-five pick, and will learn just where the first-round selection lies after the draft lottery on Aug. 25.
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Golden State Warriors
Whether the Warriors hang on to the pick or trade it, Golden State's first-round pick will set the course for the rest of the offseason. The Warriors will also have a $17.2 million traded player exception to work with in order to acquire more talent, as well as no shortage of options with the mid-level exception and the veteran's minimum in free agency.
A lot will need to go right for the Warriors to become a contending team this offseason. With the most important dates set, hard work can begin in earnest.
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