The Most Important Free Agent for Golden State Warriors to Land This Offseason

The Golden State Warriors are riding the crest of the NBA wave, having clinched home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs while winning over 60 games for the first time in franchise history.

To be continuously successful, the team needs to improve every year, and the Dubs will be looking for an important free agent this summer.

Golden State has a solid starting rotation that includes All-Stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to go with Andrew Bogut, Draymond Green and the developing Harrison Barnes.

Going Green

The Warriors' only current flight risk is a restricted free agent, Green. He no doubt will receive offers from other teams that have cap space, and that possibly includes his hometown Detroit Pistons.

For Golden State, the first order of business will be to lock down Green for the next five years.

His price has risen considerably during the season because of his play on both sides of the ball. His annual salary will jump from $915,243 this season to potentially $15 million annually.

The projected salary cap figure for next season is only $68 million, and the Warriors look to be taxpayers with the hard cap projected at $81 million.

The Warriors have close to $77.6 million tied up in salary before Marreese Speights' option decision or Green's potential agreement.

With the cap information set to come from the NBA in July, Golden State should have a better idea of where it stands. Per Diamond Leung of the San Jose Mercury News, the Warriors look like they will match any offer for Green that comes their way.

If Green signs a contract with the Warriors for close to $15 million, Golden State will not be a player in the high-stakes market of LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol or DeAndre Jordan.

The good news for Lacob and company is that the NBA salary cap will probably have its biggest-ever adjustment in 2016-17 due to increased television revenues. Instead of being penalized as repeaters, the cap could give them flexibility by jumping to $90 million.

David Lee, who will be entering the final year of his deal, might limit that burden if the Warriors can unload his expiring contract to a team that is looking to enter the Kevin Durant sweepstakes in 2016. Lee is still productive, but general manager Bob Myers can find younger, better talent at Lee's price—the 31-year-old will make $15.49 million in 2015-16.

The Warriors have carried out the transition to being the highest-rated team on defense and top-three in offense with quicker and younger players. The focus during the upcoming offseason should be to find someone who fits the current mold.

Recovering from the Unthinkable

But what happens if Green becomes too pricey or the Warriors don't feel the need to shell out the cash?

Since the Warriors will be looking at most teams' Plan B options, Golden State will be a more attractive destination for players looking to take their careers to the next level. One possible target is suiting up for the Eastern Conference's best team, the Atlanta Hawks.

DeMarre Carroll is a solid two-way player who doesn't receive the national notoriety that his other Hawks teammates get. He is in the same mold as Green in that he can play both forward positions.

He is the only player out of the Hawks' starting five who didn't make the All-Star team, but he obviously makes them better with his all-around play. Per Basketball-Reference.com, his offensive rating is 18th in the Association at 117.5.

However, he is the guy whom head coach Mike Budenholzer goes to in order to set the tone on the defensive side.

Per Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Budenholzer breaks down Carroll's impact.

"

We talk a lot about the only way we are going to be good is if we are good on both ends of the court. DeMarre really sets the tone for us defensively, gives us our spirit and our identity. I just think that end of the court isn't appreciated enough, isn't given enough accolades and attention. We've got a long way to go defensively, but where we are, he plays a huge role in that.

"

Carroll's defense has steadily improved, and he is usually the guy whom the Hawks call on to guard the opponent's best perimeter player. His defensive rating is not in the same stratosphere as Green's mark of 97, but it has shrunk to 104, per Basketball-Reference.com.

In this video, Carroll shows his desire to make the extra effort.

As great as Carroll has played this year, he is still an NBA vagabond in that he has played for five different teams since being picked by the Memphis Grizzlies with a first-round pick in 2009.

His offensive numbers support his rise and potential salary increase. He is putting up a career-high 12.6 points to go with a 39.8 three-point percentage on 4.3 tries per game.

He is a floor-stretcher whom the Warriors need at either forward position, and he would add another stalwart weapon to their already-fierce defense. He can also move effectively without the ball.

In the 99-86 win over the Miami Heat on March 27, Carroll shows his tools.

Contract Talk

With Carroll making $2.44 million this year on an expiring contract, he no doubt will be looking to get paid at least the $5.46 million mid-level exception amount for the 2015-16 season.

Since this is a fluid situation, the Warriors will have to evaluate their financial position if Green walks.

Carroll could be a tight fit with the Warriors and provide all of the capabilities that head coach Steve Kerr likes in his motion offense. Carroll would cost a lot less than Green, but he could provide much of the same utility.

Since there is a huge projected bump in salary cap for the 2016-17 season, Carroll could take a one-year deal and set himself up for a bigger payday next summer.

The Warriors need to focus on their current goal of winning the 2015 NBA Finals, but Carroll could be a possibility to keep this team at this high level if Green leaves.

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