The Warriors are going to have some decisions to make this offseason.
While the Dubs are pursuing their third straight title on the court, Golden State's brass has to be sweating what is sure to be a hectic offseason.
By now, everyone knows the stakes.
Klay Thompson will be a free agent this summer. Kevin Durant has the option to opt out of his current contract and hit the market, a move he almost assuredly will make. The Warriors have the money to sign both to max contracts, although it would send the franchise's luxury tax bill through the roof.
Rumors have swirled around Durant's potential exit all season, and apparently the Warriors have been getting some advice on which of their two marquee free agents they should prioritize, according to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
"We all know that KD is All-World, but Golden State is not really prioritizing him: A, because KD's his own man, he's going to make whatever decision he's going to make. And they believe whether he elects to stay or go, what else can they do for him?" Smith said on Monday's "First Take," as transcribed by Bleacher Report. "They've got a first-class organization. They're moving into a state-of-the-art new facility. They know that he commands the max, so they'd give it to him, etc. He's going to make the decision.
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"But I also have been told that they have been advised, strongly I might add, by some of the elite in the game, Hall of Famers as executives and players: Prioritize Klay Thompson. In other words, offer Klay Thompson every penny that you can. If you short-change him in any way in free agency, he will consider departing. Probably for the Clippers more so than anybody else. We need to keep our eyes on that, even though I'm told by Golden State there's no way in hell they're going to do that. They're going to keep the Splash Brothers together."
If the Warriors are indeed getting this advice (not that Bob Myers and Co. need to be told how to run their well-oiled machine), it would make sense for the two-time defending NBA champions to do everything in their power to lock up Thompson. With Thompson, Steph Curry and Draymond Green, the Warriors will remain a title contender, with or without Durant. However, if the Warriors do try and save some money on their offer to Thompson in an attempt to keep both the sharpshooting guard and Durant, they risk watching Thompson walk away to the Lakers or Clippers.
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For now, Thompson, Durant and the Warriors are focused on the task at hand: Dispatching the Houston Rockets en route to a third straight NBA title.
But, there's no doubt the summer's questions are looming in the back of everyone's mind as the Warriors -- as currently constructed -- potentially make their final ride.
