Warriors Rumors: Latest Buzz on Harrison Barnes, Pursuit of Starting Center

It's only natural that the Golden State Warriors—the team with the NBA Finals collapse on the mind—dominate the rumors market ahead of free agency's opening. 

The above doesn't need much more in the way of description for the sake of niceties toward a healing fanbase. But in the wake of the sour ending, the Warriors now have to look toward free agency with an eye on getting an upgrade at center and dealing with the Harrison Barnes situation.

A championship-caliber team doesn't usually find itself in a situation to reload, and especially not to compete for some of the biggest names on the market. But here are the Warriors right in the fray with the rebuilders, a testament to the organization's prowess over the years.

Here's a look at some of the top rumblings.

The Hunt for a Center

It's no secret that the Warriors want to address the center position. If one had to name the weakness on the roster, it'd be the 5-spot underneath the basket.

Granted, one could also presume the Warriors don't want to spend a ton of cash on a notable center—not after popularizing the small-ball lineup that has already influenced many a team's draft and free-agent decisions.

Yet according to Marcus Thompson II of Bay Area News Group, the Warriors will enter the fray and compete for some of the biggest names.

"According to sources familiar with free-agent talks, the Warriors are looking at Al Horford, Joakim Noah and even Hassan Whiteside," he wrote. "The contract demands might be too hefty but the goal is clear. The Warriors can't thrive with a center that doesn't attack the rim or score inside."

Interesting, but not out of this world.

Festus Ezeli looked good in spot duty last year and Andrew Bogut was serviceable, but neither stand as full-time starters if the Warriors want to get back to a more typical approach.

Those free agents, though? Joakim Noah would be the cheapest of the group but would make for a strong addition. He appeared in only 29 games last year thanks to a shoulder issue but is still 31 years old and averages 9.4 boards and 1.4 blocks on his career.

The other two are trickier.

Hassan Whiteside seems like a long shot, a 27-year-old late bloomer who just erupted for 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game.

Al Horford, on the other hand, seems like the best fit. He went for 15.2/7.3/1.5 over the same slash line and still boasts one of the best reputations in the league.

Golden State can't really go wrong with any of the names, though the competition on the market is strong, and if any of those guys want a major role in an offense, they'll likely pick elsewhere. The interest, though, says much about how the front office wants to act this summer.

The Festus Ezeli Situation

In a perfect world, the Warriors can keep most of the gang together and compete for another title next season.

This includes the aforementioned Ezeli, who quietly hits free agency and could grab a respectable contract elsewhere as a backup and rotational presence.

Unless the Warriors can get him to put more ink to paper.

According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Marc J. Spears, the team will attempt to do so: "The Warriors would also like to retain free-agent center Festus Ezeli, but how they fare in the Durant chase will play a big role in determining his fate."

The mention of Kevin Durant there is interesting but pretty cut-and-dry—Durant will sign on or he won't. 

Ezeli is trickier. Just 26 years old, the Vanderbilt product blossomed last year with averages of 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on just 16.7 minutes per game. It's risky for the Warriors to forgo big names on the market and just bank on a continued improvement from Ezeli, but it's not the worst move the team could make either.

For a team wanting to compete again, re-upping Ezeli and his blossoming skill set seems better than hoping for production from rookie center Damian Jones, the No. 30 pick in the draft.

It seems the Warriors are comfortable enough with the situation, though, hence the willingness to wait despite the fact that plenty of teams could use a depth guy like Ezeli.

Harrison Barnes' Trip to the Market

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Barnes put up the most average minutes of his career this past season with the Warriors, which might suggest the team has a serious interest in bringing him back to promote the old continuity factor.

The former North Carolina star averaged 30.9 minutes per game and managed 11.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in the process. However, folks still sour over the team's last series of the season will recall his averages of 9.3 points and 4.4 rebounds with three performances of five or fewer points over seven games more prominently.

Either way, Stein made it quite clear the Warriors won't be alone in their pursuit of the free agent:

Dime Magazine caught Barnes' feelings on his trip to market:

This will come down to other pursuits and cash.

Other pursuits, meaning if the Warriors find better value elsewhere, Barnes won't get an offer. And if other teams want to throw more cash his way, well, his want to stick in Golden State will get put to the test.

Barnes is the type of free agent who'll get a lot of cash from a rebuilding team on the market, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's a process. And it's a process Warriors fans will want to watch closely.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.