Why Warriors Should Avoid Targeting Damian Lillard After Bucks' Decision
It has been an underwhelming offseason thus far for the Golden State Warriors as they have yet to make a move during free agency.
Advertisement
The Warriors entered the offseason looking to upgrade their roster around their star trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, but that has not been the case thus far.
Instead, they lost Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans and also missed out on multiple centers, which is a key area of need for them.
Golden State Warriors stars Steph Curry and Jonathan KumingaNeville E. Guard-Imagn Images
Golden State is also awaiting the next move for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga as he continues to talk with other teams, though he may end up returning to The Bay.
While the Warriors have yet to make a major splash in free agency, they have recently been named as a potential trade suitor for Damian Lillard after he was waived by the Milwaukee bucks on Tuesday so that they could sign Myles Turner.
'Another thing that I'm hearing, of the many teams that reached out to Damian Lillard, the Warriors are one of those teams,' ESPN's Marc J. Spears said on NBA Today. 'This is a guy that grew up going to games at Oracle Arena, sneaking into the media room getting sodas. Grew up a Warriors fan. That's interesting. I know Kuminga's big, but hearing that the Warriors do has interest in Dame, I know that's very interesting to Bay Area people.'
While Lillard has ties with the Warriors, it may not be the smartest decision for Golden State to go after him this offseason.
Advertisement
Of course, Lillard will miss most, or all, of next season due to a torn Achilles and with the Warriors already lacking depth, having him on the roster and unable to play would be a major blow.
Feb 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) passes the ball away from Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum.Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Lillard also does not fit the best next to Curry due to both of them being point guards, though Curry could move into a shooting guard role and allow Lillard to have the ball in his hands.
Despite this, taking a chance on a 34-year-old guard coming off an Achilles injury may not be the best option for Golden State, especially with their championship window nearing an end due to their aging core.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
6 minutes ago
- USA Today
Would you bet on Charles Barkley at the American Century Championship? Here's your chance
For a fifth straight year, Caesars Sportsbook is taking bets on Charles Barkley finishing in the top 65 at a popular celebrity golf tournament in Tahoe. The question is: Would you stake your money on that? Barkley is among the 90 celebrities and athletes competing in the 36th American Century Championship. A year ago, Barkley came through for those betting he would as he finished 58th, his best finish in 29 starts in the event. This year, he's +140 to make the top 65 and -175 to not make top 65. You can also bet on Barkley to win the tournament at +750,000. He has the worst winning odds of anyone in the field. Caesars odds for 2025 American Century Championship Former pro tennis player Mardy Fish won the event a year ago. He and Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry are the co-favorites at +240. Last year's runner-up Joe Pavelski, formerly of the NHL, has the next-best odds at +300. Tony Romo at +450 and John Smoltz at +550 are next. Mark Mulder and Annika Sorenstam are listed at +650. See the full list of prop bets here. Boxer Canelo Alvarez and former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young withdrew from the American Century earlier this week. The 54-hole tournament is July 11-13 and will be live on NBC (both weekend rounds) as well as Golf Channel and Peacock.
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
Two former Alabama players reportedly receive contract update for 2025-26 NBA season
According to reports, a pair of former Alabama Crimson Tide basketball players have had their options' picked up by each's respective team entering the 2025-26 NBA season in Keon Ellis and JD Davison. Ellis' option was picked up by the Sacramento Kings, according to a report from The KingsBeat's James Ham, and will now enter next offseason as an unrestricted free agent, barring an extension. Davison had his team option exercised by the Boston Celtics, according to a report from HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, which is worth $2.27 million non-guaranteed. After going undrafted out of Alabama in 2022, Ellis has spent each of the past three NBA seasons in Sacramento, a span in which he has started 49-of-153 games. A career 6.5 points per game scorer, Ellis is fresh off a career-year where he averaged 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 48.9% shooting from the field. Ellis also started 28-of-80 games for the Kings, and shot 43.3% from three-point range, as well as 84.9% at the free throw line. As for Davison, the former second round pick from that same draft is coming off his third consecutive season on a two-way deal with Boston in which he saw action in only 16 games off the Celtics' bench. Over that sample size, the former Alabama guard averaged 2.1 points per game on 35.3% shooting from the field. Davison also spent a vast majority of the 2024-25 season in the NBA G League with the Maine Celtics in which he averaged 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 48.2% shooting from the field. Because of this, Davison was named the 2024-25 NBA G League MVP at seasons end. Both of Ellis and Davison now enter important year four's in the league where the former is set to be a key piece of Sacramento's lineup, while the latter looks to finally break through in Boston off a career-year. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
Nets re-sign G Tyson Etienne to Two-Way contract
The Brooklyn Nets have been making various moves in the 2025 NBA offseason as they are looking to improve from a 26-56 record during the 2024-25 campaign. Brooklyn has already pulled off two trades to bring in more players and draft capital, but it looks like they are also remembering to bring back the players that fit their goals moving forward. The Nets announced on Thursday that they re-signed guard Tyson Etienne to a Two-Way contract, making him the second Two-Way player under contract for Brooklyn along with forward Tosan Evbuomwan. Etienne's partnership with the Nets initially began in September of the 2024-25 season when Brooklyn signed him to an Exhibit 10 contract, commonly known as a deal that brings a player to training camp to compete for a roster spot. Etienne was subsequently waived by the Nets, but with the goal of him playing for the franchise's G League team, the Long Island Nets, as he continued his development within the system that first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez wanted to employ. Etienne played well in Long Island as he averaged 17.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 46.4% from the field and 41.8% from three-point land in 48 appearances. Etienne's performance in the G League eventually led to him signing a Two-Way contract with Brooklyn in March, allowing him to still play in Long Island if needed while being around the NBA team for practices and games. Etienne, 25, went on to play in seven games for the Nets after signing his Two-Way deal and he averaged 7.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game on 32.7/29.5/80.0 shooting splits. As of this writing, Etienne's role for the Nets next season is unknown outside of probably spending most of his time in the G League given the massive infusion of young talent at the guard spots through the 2025 NBA Draft. That doesn't mean that Etienne can't impress the team enough in Long Island that he gets the chance to play more at the NBA level or possibly attract another team looking for more guard depth.
