Golden State Warriors

It only makes sense the Warriors get mentioned in the third annual Dwight Howard saga. They had cameos in the first two and they were awful. Now, Golden State is a successful, attractive destination in the NBA. And even though he doesn’t need to these days, co-owner Joe Lacob still loves the pursuit of the [...]

While the Warriors enjoyed success in the 2012-13 season, it won't count for anything other than fond memories unless the team can sustain the momentum and continue its mission of building a winning culture.

All-Star forward David Lee was named third-team All-NBA, the league announced Thursday. Lee is the first Warrior to make All-NBA since Latrell Sprewell was first-team in 1993-94. Back in February, Lee became the first Warriors’ All-Star since Sprewell in 1997. Lee was the only player in the NBA to average at least 18 points, 11 [...]

Becomes Golden State’s First All-NBA Representative Since 1993-94

May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Nerlens Noel is interviewed during the NBA Draft combine at Harrison Street Athletics Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports The Golden State Warriors do not own the rights to any picks in the 2013 NBA Draft. For once, that probably isn’t a bad thing. Until recently, my faith in Golden State’s draft management wavered somewhere between “drinking milk two days after the ‘best by’ date,” and “Anthony Randolph,” with “Anthony Randolph,” representing some semblance of optimism. This is the same team that promised big things out of Marco Belinelli, Todd Fuller, Mike Dunleavy and (famously) Adonal Foyle, so pardon me for not thinking Ekpe Udoh would move mountains. Like most things that cut off their relationship with Don Nelson, the Warriors prospects have improved over the last four years. Golden State has done quite well in the draft over that time frame, picking up three of their five starters with first round picks. Stephen Curry (selected seventh overall in 2009) has blossomed into a bonafide superstar, Klay Thompson (selected 11th in 2011) is widely regarded as one of the finest shooters in the league and Harrison Barnes (selected seventh in 2012) will enter the 2013 season with more upside than almost any other member of his draft class. It’s an impressive haul, especially when you couple it with above average performances from the role players taken in the second round during that same period (Charles Jenkins, Festus Ezeli and Draymond Green) April 17, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Richard Jefferson (44) dribbles around Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Sasha Pavlovic (3) in the second half at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports All six of the above players made meaningful contributions to Golden State’s 2013 playoff run in one way or another, which leads me to wonder whether it would be worth it for management to roll the dice by purchasing or acquiring the rights to a pick in the upcoming draft. After all, the Warriors’ new management doesn’t seem to have a problem finding talent in unlikely places, and given the option of having a high-upside player under a rookie contract or Richard Jefferson’s molasses legs come off the bench, they should opt for the former. That’s probably wishful thinking. Jefferson’s $11 million contract isn’t going anywhere. Neither is Andris Biedrins’ $9 million monstrosity. And even if they could move them, it probably wouldn’t be worth it to trade David Lee or Andrew Bogut, given their production, albeit on opposite ends of the floor. Some have speculated that the Warriors may try to buy their way into the 2013 draft through trade or cash considerations, something the San Jose Mercury News’ Tim Kawakami reported last week. But given Golden State’s heavier salary burden next year (assuming they bring back Jarrett Jack and/or Carl Landry, unlikely), spending cash for a late first-round or second-round pick doesn’t seem worth it. They could also trade their way to a pick, but that would require giving up Curry, Thompson, Barnes or at the very least Draymond Green. Given that quartet’s relative youth and lack of a ‘sure thing’ athlete in this year’s draft class, the logic behind such a move would be murky at best. Golden State’s best bet would be to stand pat and move into next year with a healthier, more polished core that has already led them to the playoffs. As deals become available over the course (and they will as Biedrins and Jefferson’s expiring contracts become assets), the Warriors will have better opportunities to make use of their trade chips.

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) is consoled by power forward David Lee (10, right) against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports The Golden State Warriors have a payroll of roughly $75 million next season, which is more than five million over the luxury cap. Even if Carl Landry does not exercise his player option, the Warriors will still be looking at a $71 million payroll. So what trades could the Warriors try to make to free up cap space?

Stephen Curry, after being serenaded by about 6,000 fans at Oracle Arena for Wednesday’s rally, talked to the crowd about the future of the Warriors. “We just need to get some people back,” Curry said, then he paused and turned to stare at forward Carl Landry. Landry has one year left on his contract, paying [...]

Troy Taormina – USA Today Sports Images The Golden State Warriors went on a fantastic run through the 2013 NBA Playoffs, fueled by a superstar-like performance from Stephen Curry and hot-shooting from the rest of the team as well. They proved they are a young team with a ton of talent that we should keep an eye on for the future as they develop and grow. One of the most impressive things about what the Warriors were able to accomplish is that they did it with the only player on their roster to make the All-Star Game, David Lee, rarely playing and playing at way less than full healthy when he did get on the floor. Head coach Mark Jackson brilliantly made the move to play Harrison Barnes at the power forward and playing a small-ball lineup. Though it may be a bit of over-reaction, the fact that the Warriors were able to succeed without Lee on the floor has to raise questions about how much value he actually adds to this team. He averaged a double-double this season, can score, and is an above-average rebounder, but he’s also an incredibly poor defender and can sometimes disappear on offense. It may be an unpopular idea, but the Warriors should, at the very least, see what Lee’s value is on the trade market this summer. Golden State faces a tough cap situation this off-season that may make it hard to retain some of their key players from this year’s run in the postseason like Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry. Trading Lee, who is due $13 million next season, would alleviate some of those constraints and give them something in return. Trading Lee would also let the Warriors see how effective this small-ball scheme could be for them with Barnes developing as an undersized power forward. Lee puts up solid stats and helped the Warriors often this past season, but it’s worth looking into what Golden State could get in a trade for him and what they could do without him in the lineup. Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.

May 2, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward Carl Landry (7) celebrates after a basket against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 92-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports The Golden State Warriors face a couple major decisions this summer regarding two of their primary bench contributors: Carl Landry and Jarrett Jack. Jack doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to make up his mind. Of course, he won’t be able to sign a new deal until July 1 when free agency opens. But players often like to stir up controversy by slipping bits of hints to the media, and Jack’s mindset hasn’t changed: He wants to remain with the Warriors. Landry’s situation is a tad more different because he owns a player option worth $4 million, and General manager Bob Meyers hasn’t asked Landry if he’ll pick up his option, reports Kyle Bonagura. Bob Myers hasn’t asked Landry if he’ll pick up his option: “There are some you can speculate on… Brandon Rush will probably pick his up.” — Kyle Bonagura (@KyleBonagura) May 20, 2013 However, Golden State may approach him sooner rather than later so they can start crafting their offseason plan. In other news, Bonagura’s tweet does reveal that Meyers and company are confident that Brandon Rush will pick up his $4 million player option, which isn’t much of a surprise given that Rush is coming off a brutal injury in which he tore his MCL and ACL in his left knee. His value will need to be rebuilt before he seeks anything bigger. Winning does bring important decisions, and Landry’s situation is no bigger to the Warriors. And while the Warriors did have a tight-knit group, this is a business, after all.

We break down our list of the 10 most important games of the Warriors' 2012-13 regular season campaign.