The Golden State Warriors stand pat with their current roster at the trade deadline but that doesn’t mean they are done adding talents to their lineup, especially their bench. According to Tim Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the Warriors are one of several teams interested in signing veteran wingman Joe Johnson the moment he reaches a buyout with the Sacramento Kings and clears waivers.
Johnson, 36, had been looking for a way out of the Utah Jazz prior to the blockbuster three-team trade that sent him to the Sacramento Kings. The Cleveland Cavaliers, the Sacramento Kings and the Jazz agreed to a multi-player trade hours before Thursday’s 3 p.m trade deadline.
The blockbuster deal sent Rodney Hood and George Hill to the Cavs, Iman Shumpert and Johnson to the Kings, and Derrick Rose, and Jae Crowder to the Jazz. A pick was also involved in the trade with the Kings getting 2020 second-round selection via Miami.
Warriors face serious competition for Johnson
The Warriors have been scouring the market for a reliable scorer off the bench as injuries impact the productivity of their second unit this season. Johnson, who is averaging 7.3 PPG on 43 FG% this season, is willing to give up a bulk of his salary ($11MM) for a chance to play with an NBA title contender.
Joe Johnson is expected to seek--and receive--a buyout from Sacramento, per sources, and will be coveted: Golden State, Boston will be among the early favorites.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) February 8, 2018
Golden State remains the favorite to win it all this season despite some hiccups recently (losing three of their last four games).
Johnson would provide more depth to the Warriors rotation, though the market for him would be brutally competitive with several contenders (Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics) also expressing their interest in the veteran.
Golden State eyeing Channing Frye
Aside from Johnson, the Warriors are also targeting former Cleveland Cavaliers forward Channing Frye as another potential post-buyout acquisition.
Frye, who is averaging 4.8 PPG on 49.7 FG% and 33.3 3PT%, was traded along with Isaiah Thomas to the Los Angeles Lakers in a separate transaction for the Cavs. Adrian Wojnarowski cleared that the Lakers intend to keep Thomas and Frye for the remainder of the season, though there’s still a chance one or both players would ask for a buyout.
Should Frye reach a buyout, the Warriors would be one of the teams to watch for, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Frye’s stint in Cleveland has built his reputation as a good locker room presence. Moreover, his ability to stretch the defense with his three-point shooting makes him an attractive target for any team looking for shooting at the four spot.
