Keeping the Golden State Warriors' core group -- Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson -- intact is an objective Durant says he wants to make happen even if he has to take less money. However, Golden State will face challenges keeping the rest of the roster together.
One key role player, Ian Clark, will be heading to free agency this summer and according to a report from The Vertical, Clark likely will receive better offers after playing a key role off the bench in 77 regular-season games for Golden State.
Clark is one of several pending free agents for the Warriors who is relishing the season after signing a veteran-minimum deal. He'll have a decision again in the offseason, and executives believe he could command a deal over the mid-level exception. For the Warriors, however, the template has been set: Sign a bargain deal, compete for a championship during the season, and increase your value for the summer.
Clark played big bench minutes for the Warriors all season, averaging 6.8 points and 14.8 minutes. The 26-year-old enjoyed a career year with minutes played, field-goal percentage and 3-point percentages all higher than any point in his NBA career.
Keeping Clark will not the Warriors' first priority as they juggle expiring contracts, including impending free agents Andre Iguodala, the 2015 Finals MVP, and Curry, the two-time MVP. It will be interesting to see how or if Golden State can replace his production should he move on.
