Warriors' Early 2024 Free Agent Targets

For the third time in five years, the Golden State Warriors ended an NBA season without securing a playoff invitation.

Of course, during the other two years, they won five postseason series and a league title, so it's not like it's been all doom and gloom for the Dubs. Still, for a team that expects excellence, the Warriors have been nowhere near it more often than not during this stretch.

For some, this might be evidence that sweeping change is needed in Northern California. There will be some external calls—particularly from hot-take artists—to blow up this roster and start over. Internally, though, "they have no interest in tanking," per ESPN's Zach Lowe.

The Warriors want to maximize their competitiveness during whatever window is still open with Stephen Curry, and doing so will require dramatic upgrades. Golden State won't find those impact players in free agency, as it seems likelier to cut costs than add to them this offseason. Bargain-hunting is a must, then, and the Warriors would be wise to consider these potentially clearance-priced players.

Spencer Dinwiddie, Los Angeles Lakers (Unrestricted)

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 16: Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Chris Paul provided the Warriors with their best backup-point-guard play in years and subsequently allowed Stephen Curry to average his fewest minutes in a full season since 2017-18 (32.7). As Curry, who turned 36 in March, gets deeper into his twilight seasons, Golden State could look for ways to further reduce his floor time.

That probably isn't happening by Paul sticking around, though. His entire $30 million salary for next season is non-guaranteed, per Spotrac, and while he could theoretically return at a smaller number, that may not be the best situation for him or this squad.

"You look at our team and we're pretty small," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "Even though [Paul is] one of our best players, if we want to throw our best players out there—and he's one of them—you start adding up Chris, Steph, Klay [Thompson], it's not the ideal roster for him."

That's a long-winded way of saying Golden State could need a new lead guard for its second unit, and Spencer Dinwiddie should get some consideration for the gig. While he isn't much of a shooter (career 33.3 three-point percentage), he is a good decision-maker (career 5.2 assists against 1.7 turnovers) who has enough size (6'5", 215 lbs) to share the floor with Curry.

Mason Plumlee, Los Angeles Clippers (Unrestricted)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Mason Plumlee #44 of the LA Clippers dribbles the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 12, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Golden State could be on the search for more size this summer. Dario Šarić could be headed for the exits after losing his rotation spot, and Kevon Looney could be needed to help make the money work in a trade.

If the Warriors want to add a big, Mason Plumlee is a logical target.

The 6'10", 254-pounder would be a natural in Golden State. Beyond being a bouncy finisher around the basket, he's also capable of making quick reads as a passer. For his career, he has averaged a healthy 3.9 assists per 36 minutes, per Basketball-Reference, to go along with 13.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Having him in tandem with Trayce Jackson-Davis would give the Warriors a pair of lob-finishers who can make smart, simple passes out of the short roll. Keep Draymond Green in the mix, and center shouldn't be a problem spot and could be a real strength if Jackson-Davis continues to develop.

Lonnie Walker IV, Brooklyn Nets (Unrestricted)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Lonnie Walker IV #8 of the Brooklyn Nets passes the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 14, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

There's an alternate universe in which Lonnie Walker IV doesn't miss a month of the 2022-23 season with knee injury or get squeezed out of the Los Angeles Lakers' rotation shortly after his return. In that reality, he not only contributes to the Lakers' push from the play-in tournament to the conference finals, he follows that up by cashing out in 2023 free agency.

But as his bank account can attest, that's not the reality we're living in. Here, Walker found only minimum money in free agency last summer, and since he didn't exactly light it up for the Nets this season—his 17.4 minutes and 9.7 points were both his fewest in four seasons—he could be looking at another (relatively) low-dollar deal again.

The Warriors would be wise to explore that. With the futures of Paul and Klay Thompson (unrestricted free agent) very much up in the air, they might need an offensive jolt for their second unit. Walker, a career supplier of 17.4 points per 36 minutes, per Basketball-Reference, could give them that.

The 25-year-old would also add some needed zip and bounce to a team that often appeared old and slow this season. And if he shoots like he did this season—career-high 1.8 threes per game at a 38.4 percent clip—he'd help with their spacing, too.