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OAKLAND, Calif., June 23 (UPI) -- A team that now holds the record for most wins in the NBA's regular season is looking to get better. Much better. The Golden State Warriors, who have a 2-time NBA MVP at the wheel, are targeting two former MVP's in free agency this summer.
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Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant and Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki are the primary targets, and Durant has been linked the most to the Warriors.
The latest news comes from Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, who wrote Tuesday: "The same source maintains that if Durant doesn't re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder he would prefer to join the Warriors, a team that has reached two straight NBA Finals and could rule the Western Conference for the next five years if Durant goes to the Bay Area."
As many analysts have speculated, the move now makes more sense, as the Warriors wont be coming off of two straight championships. After choking up a 3-1 lead to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, the Warriors have obvious delinquencies.
One of those areas that failed in the clutch was the play of Harrison Barnes. Barnes, 24, had thrived in his role this season, averaging a career-high 11.7 points. In the Finals, Barnes couldn't make an open look, hitting just 9-of-29 three-point attempts. In his final three Finals games he hit just 3-of-15 three-point attempts, going 0-for-5 in Game 6.
The Warriors have maintained that it will be "very aggressive" in free agency.
Before the season Barnes turned down a $64 million deal so that he could see a larger offer this summer. But with his poor play, it doesn't look like Barnes is worth the $20 million annually he is probably seeking.
Durant on the other hand is indeed the big fish this summer in free agency. The 27-year-old averaged 28.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this season and would fill in nicely as a secondary option to Stephen Curry.
Perhaps that is why Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical called the Warriors "significant front runners" for his services.
"The Warriors already have everything and yet they're threatening to take more now," Wojnarowski wrote in February. "Steph Curry. Klay Thompson. Draymond Green. Committed ownership. Bob Myers, the executive of the year. Steve Kerr, a championship coach. Yes, Golden State has everything, including the ability to create the salary-cap space and a belief that Durant's persona could fit seamlessly – even onto a potential two-time defending champion."
Durant told ESPN that the decision will be a "basketball decision" and not "necessarily about the spotlight or the money," according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
Durant hits free agency on July 1.
