Marreese Speights Comments on Future with Warriors

Marreese Speights would like to return to the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors next year.

Golden State's reserve big man is an unrestricted free agent after this season but seemed uncertain about if the Warriors would want to bring him back.  

"Sometimes you think about it, but at the end of the day, you can't really control it," Speights said, per Carl Steward of the Mercury News. "I try to only think about things I can control. But it's life. Sometimes you can't help it."

Despite averaging 11.6 minutes per game in the regular season, Speights made the most of his opportunities off the bench for the Warriors this year. He averaged 7.1 points and 3.3 rebounds and made a career-best 38.7 percent of three-pointers. His per-36-minute numbers rounded out to 22.2 points and 10.3 rebounds.

For as much as he'd like to be a Warrior next season, the 28-year-old understands the business side of things if Golden State chooses not to bring him back after three years in Oakland, California.

"It's been a hell of a lot of fun," Speights told Steward. "I feel like I put myself in position on this team and in this city to make a name for myself and be one of the core guys who's been here. It would be best to be back here, but I understand it's a business. I'm going to give everything in these Finals, and after that, whatever happens happens."

Although he didn't have a lot of minutes in the regular season, Speights has played his way to a nice contract this summer. He's still young and in only his eighth NBA season. The development of his three-point shot and his tenacious rebounding ability would make him a starter or a sixth man on most NBA teams. 

The Warriors could benefit from having Speights back next year, but they'll have some competition in regard to his services this summer.

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.