The Golden State Warriors, like six other franchises, have agreed to be involved in a record-setting seven-team headlined by Kevin Durant that can be finalized on Sunday (Warriors will receive Jahmai Mashack and Alex Toohey).
However, a day after agreeing to the massive deal, the organization received worrisome news regarding their chances of landing their top free agency frontcourt target.
“The Warriors haven’t made a transaction this week, though free agents are permitted to negotiate with other clubs, as they sort through forward Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency and await free-agent center Al Horford’s decision,” San Francisco Chronicle’s Sam Gordon wrote Friday.
“Kuminga is free to secure an offer sheet that the Warriors would then be permitted to match, or negotiate with them a contract extension. There’s also the potential of a sign-and-trade.”
“Horford is a prime target for the Warriors, league sources confirmed to the Chronicle, but the five-time All-Star big man — most recently of the Boston Celtics and reportedly also considering retirement — isn’t expected to make a decision this weekend.”
“The NBA’s transaction moratorium lifts at 9 a.m. Sunday and the Warriors are working with a $170.5 million payroll (for nine players) against a luxury tax line of $187.9 million and restrictive (for roster building) aprons of $195.9 million and $207.8 million respectively. A team source told the Chronicle they’re ‘still working through things.’
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Why is Gordon’s report concerning? The Warriors aren’t the only organization in the running for Horford.
While the Stein Line’s Jake Fisher noted that all signs point to Horford landing with the Dubs, the Nuggets recently emerged as an underrated suitor for the 39-year-old center.
Denver swapped Dario Saric for Jonas Valanciunas, who was initially expected to serve as the franchise’s backup center, on Monday.
However, Valanciunas could spend the next leg of his professional career in the EuroLeague, which would cause a massive frontcourt problem for the organization.
Considering the Nuggets could use their entire $14.1 million mid-level exception to sign Horford, and the aging big likely won’t make a free agency decision this weekend, it’s reasonable to speculate that Horford is waiting to see how Valanciunas’ situation plays out instead of rushing his next move.
It appears the Dubs are no longer a lock to secure Horford’s services this summer.
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