They helped changed the game. They became a dynasty. But going for a three peat, they were beaten in six games by the Toronto Raptors. Two of their star players went down with devastating injuries, and a big time offseason acquisition battled injuries all season.
So now, what is next for the Golden State Warriors?
The questions come not just because they lost, but because of what this summer holds. Kevin Durant ruptured his Achilles, and is a free agent this summer. Klay Thompson, last night, suffered a knee injury which was later diagnosed as an torn ACL. He also will be a free agent this summer. Demarcus Cousins, who missed most of the season recovering from an Achilles tear he suffered last January, suffered a torn quadriceps in Game 2 of their opening round series vs the Los Angeles Clippers. He too, will be a free agent.
Durant has a $31,500,000 player option for next year, of which he could opt into. He could, also, still be offered a max contract by a team like the Brooklyn Nets or New York Knicks. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Durant, if he declines the option and signs a short term deal either with the Warriors or elsewhere, could make $38,000,000 annually. The expectation, when Durant was healthy, was that he was going to decline the option and sign a max elsewhere. That may still happen, but is not as clear cut now.
Thompson will also miss next season. If he opts for free agency, he would definitely receive a max deal from a team who is thirsty for a star. The Warriors, though, will still make it their top priority, to resign him.
As for Cousins, he most likely will not return. Though he won't get the max deal that he hoped for when he signed last summer with the Warriors due to his injury plagued 2018-2019 season, he, when fully healthy, is one of the league's top centers. It is clear after watching him in the Finals, though, that he isn't back to 100%.
Kevon Looney, who came on strong in the playoffs as a strong role player who can defend, is also a free agent. It will be interesting to see if the Warriors will resign him to help with depth that has taken a hit lately. He also could be due for a nice contract elsewhere in a bigger or similar role.
The Warriors have a lot of questions heading into this offseason, questions which were only heightened with their injuries over the last two games of the NBA Finals.
They indeed could look drastically different next year.
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