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Are Warriors a coveted free-agent destination?
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Are Warriors a coveted free-agent destination?

The ability to play through a rookie contract after being drafted to an organization and to then choose where they will play afterward is one of the most enticing aspects of free agency for athletes. 

With prolific players like Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins and David West choosing to join the Golden State Warriors in free agency during the team's time as a dynasty, the organization was among the most popular free-agent destinations in the NBA.

With all the player movement during the NBA offseason so far, the Warriors are the only team in the league that hasn’t signed a free agent. The lack of activity begs the question: Are the Warriors still a coveted free-agent destination?

There are a lot of factors players weigh in free agency when choosing their next destination: location, style of play, reputation, cap space and ability to compete at the highest level. 

Word of mouth around the NBA plays a major role in a player's free-agency decision. Bad word of mouth or publicity can hinder an organization’s chance at being a premier free-agent destination. 

Former Warriors center Kevon Looney talked to Marcus Thompson of the Athletic on the "Warriors Plus Minus" podcast about his time with the organization and why he left after 10 years with the team. 

"I want to control my own destiny," Looney said. "I know how they like to negotiate, how they like to do business. I knew it was going to be a lowball price to start, and if I couldn’t find nothing else, no money out there anywhere else, I was just going to have to take it."

Players around the NBA will take what Looney said and think that the Warriors will look to win the negotiation and try to get the best team-friendly deal for players whom they are not primarily focused on building around. 

It’s surprising to see that an organization known for making big moves and signing big-time free agents during its dynastic run is completely silent during free agency.

It might be as simple as they don’t have enough to make another big move and add another big-time free agent due to having 85% of their cap space going to three players: Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. 

There are speculation and rumors that players like Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton, Ben Simmons and Seth Curry are potential free-agent targets, but there is no concrete evidence. In terms of big-time players in free agency, the organization does not seem to have the same shine as in years past. 

Ultimately, though, Golden State will continue be a major destination for big-time free agents because of one factor: having the ability to play with the greatest shooter of all time, Steph Curry. 

Bryan Eglesia

Bryan Egleisa is a content producer located in the Bay Area, California. As a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He focuses on the Golden State Warriors & the NBA

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