The architect of the Golden State Warriors dynasty may be on his way out. Warriors general manager Bob Myers is in the final year of his contract, which expires this summer. As negotiations linger, Myers could be set for a shocking exit from Golden State.
According to The Athletic, negotiations “remain flat” between Myers and the Warriors. Sources are wondering, and some are “predicting” Myers’ time in Golden State is ending.
Myers will be arguably the biggest NBA free agent in the event of his exit. The Athletic reports that the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, and New York Knicks are three teams “worth monitoring as possibilities.”
The Wizards are in an intriguing situation. Washington has been in NBA purgatory for quite some years. The team has yet to recover from the devastating Achilles injury to John Wall during the 2018-2019 season.
Current Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard has failed to construct a winner since replacing Ernie Grunfield in 2019. Bradley Beal has become the cornerstone of the Wizards’ franchise since Wall got traded in 2020. Beal signed a $251 million, supermax contract last summer, yet, trade rumors have followed him as the Wizards continue to struggle.
Sheppard’s draft decisions have been questionable, to say the least. Rui Hachimura, the ninth overall pick in 2019, was traded this week to the Los Angeles Lakers for reserved guard Kendrick Nunn and three future second-round draft picks.
His 2020 lottery pick Deni Avdija has averaged 7.7 points in his first three seasons. Corey Kispert, a 2021 first-round draft pick, is a spot-shooter. Meanwhile, rookie Johnny Davis, the tenth overall pick in 2022, has logged just 50 minutes through the Wizards’ 48 games this season.
Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porginizis are Beal’s supporting cast pieces for Beal. However, both hold player options this summer. While the Wizards would like to keep both, there is speculation that at least Kuzma may want out.
Myers is reportedly seeking to have his compensation match the work he has done building the Warriors into a perennial contender. Golden State has won four NBA titles and reached six NBA Finals under Myers.
Money hasn’t been an issue for the Warriors. Golden State has an NBA-high $189.5 million payroll and is due to pay $170.2 million in luxury taxes.
Yet, money may not be Myers’s only issue. He could be looking for a fresh start. The Warriors’ core is aging. Stephen Curry is 35 years of age. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are 32 each.
Landing Myers would be a significant upgrade for the Wizards. The team’s current roster structure may be ideal for Myers to come in and completely rebuild. That could include trading Beal to reset the Wizards. The roster flexibility could make the Wizards an enticing option for one of the NBA’s best GMs.
