Bob Myers Talks Steph Curry Contract, Warriors' Free Agency, James Wiseman and More
May 24, 2021
Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers is already making his offseason plans after the team's disappointing showing in the play-in tournament.
"I do know we need veterans," Myers told reporters Monday. "We have to add veterans in free agency."
Stephen Curry is a contender for the MVP award after a huge 2020-21 season in which he averaged 32.0 points per game, but there was limited help around him on the way to a 39-33 record.
Curry has just one year remaining on his current contract, but Myers said he is "pretty confident" the two sides will work out an extension this offseason.
The next step for Myers will be finding ways to provide more production around him.
Center James Wiseman is one person who can help after showing flashes of strong play during his rookie season. Despite some speculation, Myers said the 2020 No. 2 pick will not be trade bait.
"I think he can help us. I expect him to be on the team next season," Myers said. "We don't want to trade James Wiseman. ... I think he can be helpful in the future and in the present."
Wiseman averaged 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 39 games this season before suffering a knee injury that ended his season. The 7-footer has enough upside to headline a trade for an impact player but might be too raw to help the team contend for a title next year.
Klay Thompson is someone who could help in 2021-22 after missing the past two years with injuries, but his torn Achilles suffered in November could keep him out at the start of next season.
"I don't know if it'll be game one; I don't know if that's realistic," Myers said of the five-time All-Star guard's timeline.
That makes building the roster for next season even tougher for Myers, but the 46-year-old, who has been the team's GM since 2012, believes the Warriors are still elite when the main core of Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green is healthy.
"If those three guys are on the floor together, I'm not afraid of any team in the NBA," he said.