The Warriors are breaking up a 73-win team to sign Kevin Durant.
They’re trying to make it as painless as possible. The three key steps:
- Renounce Festus Ezeli.
- Let Harrison Barnes leave for the Mavericks.
- Trade Andrew Bogut.
Nos. 2 and 3 could be related.
Marc Stein of ESPN:
One of the first orders of business now for Golden State, sources say, is finding a trade partner for Andrew Bogut to shed his $11 million.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2016
Harrison Barnes update: Sources say Golden State will renounce him to make him unrestricted free agent but Dallas full steam ahead on Barnes
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2016
Sources say Dallas, furthermore, has emerged as a strong potential trade destination for Andrew Bogut, who the Warriors must now move.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2016
The Warriors love Bogut and, sources say, are inclined to try to send him to a destination he likes. Bogut and Barnes are also good pals
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2016
Renouncing Barnes is mostly a formality. The effect is the same as not matching his offer sheet. This just spares Barnes and Dallas any delays.
However, the Mavericks surely factored Barnes’ restricted status into their offer. They wanted to give Golden State more trouble. Would they dare lower Barnes’ offer -- unofficial until the moratorium ends -- now that he’s unrestricted? It’d violate the NBA’s unofficial code that governs all early-July deals, but DeAndre Jordan did it to them last year. If I were Barnes, I’d want to find out Dallas’ intentions before other options dry up.
Bogut would fit well with the Mavericks, who badly need a center. His defense would help protect Dirk Nowitzki.
Golden State could have other suitors for Bogut, too. If one team offers more than the rest, the Warriors would have trouble turning that down. But if everyone just wants to take him as a salary dump, Bogut might get to pick his preference.