Warriors Rumors: Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, No. 11 pick

The Warriors aren’t sounding like a team preparing for major changes. At least not yet.

Speaking with reporters, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made it clear that Golden State hopes to retain both Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis heading into next season.

“We value them, we want them here, and we see them as a piece of the puzzle next season,” Dunleavy said.

Green, Porzingis remain priorities

Green holds a player option worth roughly $27.7 million for next season and has repeatedly expressed a desire to remain with the Warriors.

Porzingis, meanwhile, is set to become an unrestricted free agent later this month.

Golden State has maintained contact with both players and their representatives, according to Dunleavy.

There has been some speculation that Green could help create additional financial flexibility by declining his option and agreeing to a new contract with a lower starting salary. Whether that actually happens remains to be seen.

The Warriors are also awaiting decisions from veterans Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton on their respective player options.

Warriors prefer youth over veteran splash

Dunleavy also offered an interesting glimpse into Golden State’s draft plans.

Despite ongoing trade speculation, he suggested the Warriors are more interested in getting younger than adding another aging veteran to a roster already built around Stephen Curry, Green and Jimmy Butler.

“The job right now is to make this team better,” Dunleavy said. “We obviously would prefer to get younger.”

That would appear to increase the chances of Golden State keeping the No. 11 overall pick rather than using it in a trade package.

Coaching staff still evolving

The Warriors have already secured the biggest piece of their coaching puzzle, with Steve Kerr deciding to return for another season.

Now comes the rest. Assistants Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse have moved on in pursuit of head coaching opportunities, leaving Golden State with openings on Kerr’s staff.

According to Dunleavy, the organization is still evaluating its options and no decisions are expected immediately.

In other words, while the Warriors continue to be linked to every major rumor on the internet, much of their focus appears to remain on keeping key pieces in place and building around the foundation they already have.

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