Warriors Sleeper Contracts to Pursue in NBA Free Agency

The Golden State Warriors head into the 2024 NBA offseason with major questions about the future of their roster.

If free agency answers a lot of those questions, it will be more about who the Warriors need to replace rather than which players they'll be adding. With Klay Thompson (unrestricted) and Chris Paul (non-guaranteed) potentially taking their talents elsewhere, Golden State could have some sizable gaps in this group.

What the Warriors won't have, though, is a lot of wiggle room with which to find replacements. This figures to be an expensive roster regardless, and that's before factoring in the possibility of a trade for a big-ticket item.

With the franchise likely looking at the bargain bin, then, let's run through a few cost-effective options on the open market.

Kyle Anderson, Minnesota Timberwolves

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 24: Kyle Anderson #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 24, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)

Kyle Anderson likely sits on the ambitious edge of Golden State's budget, but there's a universe in which he's open to taking the taxpayer's mid-level exception. He checks a metric ton of boxes on the basketball court, but he is limited as a scorer and spacer, so maybe that eats into his earnings enough to slot him in the affordable category.

If the Warriors feel there's even a sliver of hope for having him, then he's worth an aggressive courtship.

His aforementioned versatility reaches both ends of the court. On offense, he can function as anything from a 6'9" playmaker to a small-ball big. In other words, he could potentially help Golden State replace Paul while also adding new twists to this frontcourt. On defense, his length, instincts and awareness help him keep up with assignments of nearly every style.

His quick-processing skills would make him a fit in this read-and-react system, and he could enhance the offensive menu by handling either side of a pick-and-roll play. He may not make this group any younger or more athletic, but he could easily make the Warriors even better at what they do best.

Doug McDermott, Indiana Pacers

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 14: Doug McDermott #20 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 14, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Warriors built a not insignificant portion of their dynasty around the best shooting backcourt in NBA history. But if splash siblings Thompson and Stephen Curry aren't splashing together anymore, there will be a massive shooting void in this offense.

Enter Doug McDermott.

The 32-year-old is more of your classic sharpshooting specialist, but his three-point stroke alone could get him noticed by the Dubs' decision-makers. He has spent 10 seasons in the Association, and only three of them featured a three-point conversion rate south of 40 percent.

He is almost guaranteed to deliver elite accuracy—he has cleared 40 percent from deep in six of the past seven campaigns—and leverages his shooting threat to sometimes slip behind defenses on timely basket cuts. This movement-based offense should be a perfect fit with what he brings.

Monte Morris, Minnesota Timberwolves

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PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 26: Monte Morris #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on April 26, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)

While it's possible the Warriors could keep Paul around, that doesn't seem the likeliest scenario. Even sitting aside the financial aspect, Steve Kerr admitted that this is "not the ideal roster for [Paul]."

The Warriors should take some lessons away from their potentially short time with Paul, though. Namely, that is hugely helpful to have a capable backup behind Stephen Curry as the franchise face gets deeper into his 30s.

Could that wind up getting Monte Morris some attention in Golden State? It definitely should. Like Paul, Morris is a master decision-maker who buries enough threes to keep defenses honest (career 39.1 percent). He also, it's worth nothing, probably lacks the size (6'2", 183 lbs) to play many minutes with Curry, but if Golden State is searching for an ideal option in the bargain bin, it might need a reality check.

Covering up the non-Curry minutes would be a big win anyway, and it might be doable on this team's budget. Morris looked over his skis as a starter the previous two seasons, then missed the majority of this campaign due to injuries (33 appearances). Free agency isn't coming at the optimal time for him, in other words, which perhaps would make him amenable to a short-term pact with a marquee franchise that potentially helps restore his value ahead of his next venture to the open market.