5 Players the Golden State Warriors Need to Target This Offseason

As the Golden State Warriors play out the rest of 2012 without stars Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut, head coach Mark Jackson has had plenty of time to assess his rotations and personnel going into next season. And while Golden State reserves have faired decently in absence of key starters, The Warriors have a few holes in their roster that need to be filled.

Who should the Warriors add going forward? Here a few players the team could target.

Dominic McGuire, F Golden State Warriors

Golden State got themselves a steal this offseason by inking forward Dominic McGuire to a contract worth just over $850,000. McGuire’s defensive versatility has made him a regular in Mark Jackson’s rotations throughout the season.

At 6’9’’, McGuire possesses both the size strength and dexterity to guard some of the NBA’s elite swingmen, as well as lock down undersized power forwards. He’s a great rebounder who boxes out well and is one of the most efficient players in the league on the defensive end of the court.

Offensively, however, McGuire’s ball handling and shooting touch—or lack there of—make much of a liability, which really puts shackles on his minutes off the bench. Still, McGuire is a great stopper that fits the Warriors system well, and he should be re-signed at a relatively low cost.

Deshawn Stevenson, SG/SF New Jersey Nets

Perhaps best remembered for his championship run with the Mavericks last season and/or his rivalry with Lebron James, Stevenson seems like a perfect fit in Oakland. He’s a tough perimeter defender with the ability to man up players down low, and he can shoot the three-ball.

Stevenson inked a $2.5 million contract in lieu of the NBA finals last summer, and after spending a year with the irrelevant Nets, his value should fall off a bit. Stevenson could prove to be a steal this offseason, and Golden State should strongly consider signing the veteran swingman.

Kirk Hinrich, PG Atlanta Hawks

With Nate Robinson likely not returning to the Warriors—his contract expires at the end of the season—Golden State will likely seek to add another point guard to back up Stephen Curry.

Rookie Charles Jenkins, though full of potential, doesn’t appear to be ready to assume a regular role off the bench and the team could look to add a veteran like Kirk Hinrich to split time at the point.

Hinrich is a combo guard by nature, and is a solid perimeter defender. He’s fully capable of playing the one or the two with his solid mid-range to three-point jump shot and would be a solid backup behind Stephen Curry.

Rudy Fernandez, SG Denver Nuggets

With the departure of Monta Ellis the Warriors could use some added depth at two guard, and Fernadez seems like a good free agent fit for the Warriors.

At 6’6’’, Fernandez has solid size at the two. He’s a quick defender capable of playing with most guards around the league, though he tends to get dominated in strength matchups.

On the other side of the ball, Fernadez’s European roots make him a great off-ball player who constantly finds himself with open space to penetrate or take jumpers. Fernandez has great ball handling ability as well, and loves to create when given the opportunity.

He’ll be recovering from season-ending back surgery, which should diminish his free-agent value this offseason, and Golden State should take full advantage of signing Fernandez on the cheap.

Brandon Rush, SG Golden State Warriors

Rush has played a pivotal role for the Warriors off the bench this season, and Golden State should strongly consider re-signing their 6’6’’ swingman.

Rush is lights out from distance, with the NBA’s fifth best three-point percentage at 45 percent this season. He consistently gives the team a lift off the bench, and if the Dubs were faring better in the win-loss column, Rush would likely be in the conversation for Sixth Man of the Year.

Rush’s athleticism makes him a tenacious defender that Mark Jackson loves, thus making it easy for Rush to grab minutes as a reserve. Rush has carried the Warriors through games at times, especially after the Ellis trade.

Rush is a restricted free agent at the season’s close, and while the $4.1 million qualifying offer might seem pricey, it might be in the Warriors’ best interest to return the breakout shooting guard.