The Golden State Warriors are among several teams who could pursue signing Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant, the top player expected to be on the NBA free-agent market this summer.
This isn’t breaking news. Reports involving Durant and Golden State go back to January.
However, the Warriors also are looking at another good shooter: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki.
Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News has reported that Nowitzki “is somebody Warriors management has circled” entering the offseason, which began Sunday night after Golden State lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He also reports the Warriors “have no idea if (Nowitzki would) be interested in leaving Dallas.”
Nowitzki will become an unrestricted free agent if he doesn’t exercise his player option for the 2016-17 campaign.
The Warriors space the floor with quality outside shooters, and Nowitzki arguably is the best big man shooter of all time. He’s 38 years old but still averaged 18.3 points per game on 44.8 percent shooting (36.8 percent from beyond the arc) last season. Nowitzki also is among the best free-throw shooters in the league.
Golden State could find better and much younger players to spend its money on this summer, but Nowitzki certainly would add championship experience and scoring depth to an already loaded roster.
Thumbnail photo via Thomas B. Shea/USA TODAY Sports Images
