The Golden State Warriors will have eight players heading into free agency once the schedule reaches July 1, and even with the salary cap spike this offseason (expected to settle around $92 million), it will be difficult for the team to bring them all back. However, that doesn't mean there won't be an effort from both sides to reach new agreements.
Backup center Marreese Speights, who has been with the team since 2013, will be hitting the open market this offseason, but he hopes to return to the Warriors next year.
"It's been a hell of a lot of fun," the 28-year-old said in a recent interview. "I feel like I put myself in position on this team and in this city to make a name for myself and be one of the core guys who's been here. It would be best to be back here, but I understand it's a business. I'm going to give everything in these Finals, and after that, whatever happens happens."
The Warriors have long been rumored to be a contender to land Kevin Durant in free agency this summer. However, to do so (or to land any other marquee free agent), Golden State would have to gut its roster. That means Speights, Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli and others would likely not be back in 2016.
As a result, many expect the Warriors to plan as if they are over the salary cap and opt instead to re-sign a handful of their own free agents rather than sacrifice depth and chemistry to chase another star (though, Durant isn't just any other star, of course). Speights, an unrestricted free agent, made $3.81 million this season. If he were to receive a lucrative offer from another team that exceeds what the Warriors can/are able to offer, he'd likely accept it and leave town.
Throughout this post-season, Speights is averaging 9.9 minutes, 7.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. He is shooting 42.4 percent from 3-point range. Should the seven-year vet find a new home this offseason, it would be his fifth team since being drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers back in 2008.
