The Golden State Warriors are heading into the 2025 offseason with an incomplete roster as some players hit free agency while the franchise looks to plug the holes in their roster after a midseason Jimmy Butler acquisition. They're looking competitive this season and will likely double down on making this roster a contender in the summer.
The 2025 free agency will bring multiple great candidates to the market who will be in demand around the NBA. There aren't many teams playing around with major cap space, so the market might take some time to form.
The Warriors are a win-now team in a big market and will be a very attractive destination for free agents, especially the ones looking for prove-it years on contenders. Their main holes currently are at center and point guard.
Let's take a look at one realistic free-agent signing the Warriors could make alongside another they won't be able to pull off despite their best efforts.
Realistic: Tyus Jones
Oct 31, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (21) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Intuit Dome.
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Tyus Jones has to be kicking himself for a pretty bad free-agent decision in the summer. He took a veteran minimum on the Phoenix Suns to help the team elevate into contention, but he's had a tough season amid an internal disaster on the Suns. He's averaging 10.3 points and 5.5 assists, unable to positively impact the franchise given his limited on-ball duties as a point guard.
Being the fourth ball-handler behind Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal was a bad decision from the start, and now Jones has to secure a future home in the offseason again. He's still 28 years old and proved to be a solid backup guard when he was a key contributor on a competitive Memphis Grizzlies squad. He could be the same for the Warriors within a coherent system.
Golden State doesn't have a backup creator on the roster. He would have a clear role to fulfill, especially with the limited load a 37-year-old Stephen Curry and 36-year-old Jimmy Butler will want next season. This could be his prove-it year for a major contract offer in the far more fluid 2025 offseason.
The Warriors could easily sign him for the tax mid-level exception ($5.7 million), if not less. He'd be the perfect backup guard for this team, being able to fit into the Warriors motion offense while being a steadying force off the bench.
Unrealistic: Naz Reid
Feb 13, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) takes part in an interview after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
The free agent who would make the Warriors instant title contenders is Naz Reid. Reid is on the Minnesota Timberwolves, but there are very real concerns around how the team will retain him and potentially Julius Randle in free agency. Reid could be scoped up by a contending team with cap space, as his skill-set as a shooting big would instantly elevate most rosters in the NBA.
Reid is averaging 14.4 points and 6.1 rebounds this season. The former Sixth Man of the Year will have his pick of teams in the summer, with the Warriors hoping to be in the mix. There's no way they can entice him to join for the $5.7 million exception they'll have available, so unless they can figure out a sign and trade with Jonathan Kuminga heading elsewhere, it'll be a hard deal to execute.
He'd instantly solve the Warriors frontcourt problems, becoming the starting center while allowing Golden State to play a fast-paced and highly mobile style of offense with Reid's shooting ability and strong role-player tendencies. Figuring out how to pay him is just one challenge, as the Wolves will also try to do whatever they can to retain him as the team who can pay him the most.
It would be a dream fit, but it doesn't seem like it can come to pass in reality.
