It was announced that the Golden State Warriors have extended qualifying offers to small forward Harrison Barnes and center Festus Ezeli. This move will surprise few as by doing this, both Barnes and Ezeli became restricted free agents meaning that the Dubs can match any contract that the two receive from other teams.
This was merely a formality as it wouldn’t have made much sense to skip this step and allow the two to walk without the chance to bring them back. However, re-signing either of them is anything but a formality as the Warriors are in the middle of a chase of Kevin Durant.
The Warriors have told people around the NBA that they're confident Kevin Durant will seriously consider joining them. GS-KD meet on Friday.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 30, 2016
If the Warriors do intend to bring in the former MVP, not only will Barnes and Ezeli be allowed to walk, but Australian big man Andrew Bogut very well may be out the door as well.
The Bogut shade from the Warriors to me they are trading him whether they get Kevin Durant or not
— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) June 30, 2016
They’ve already brought back Shaun Livingston, so thats a little bit of cap space that the team can’t commit to Durant now. While all indications are pointing to a return to Oklahoma City for KD, there is still a chance for him to come to the Bay Area. Hopefully nothing as cruel as what was suggested on Colin Cowherd’s “The Herd” will happen to the Dubs.
Cut-throat. Sabotage. Heel turn.@getnickwright on how Kevin Durant can sink the Warriors. #TheHerd https://t.co/PUprM1d4aG
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 29, 2016
Free-agency is merely hours away at this point, so all of the excitement will be coming to a head very very soon.