Nicolas Batum could be on the top of the Golden State Warriors' list this summer, with Harrison Barnes likely to earn more lucrative deals from other teams.
There is a possibility that Barnes, despite his inconsistency in the regular season and the playoffs, would receive more lucrative offers from other NBA rivals once the summer market opens.
While the Warriors have the right to match any offer sheet given to Barnes, it would be difficult for the team to equal a close to max contract deals, with Golden State only projected to have a max cap space of $10.9 million. According to Adam Fromal of Bleacher Report, if the Dubs let Barnes walk away this summer, Batum should be a one of the replacements the Warriors should consider.
"The Warriors will match if they need to. But if they don't, it means a better player is coming to town, whether that's Nicolas Batum, Luol Deng or-wait for it-Kevin Durant," Fromal wrote.
Among the players mentioned in the report, Batum seems the better fit to play for the Warriors. The 27-year-old Frenchman has the ability to play effectively without the ball in his hands.
In his stint with the Charlotte Hornets, Batum averaged 14.9 points, 5.8 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game, showing his versatility to be play efficiently in all positions. Batum is probably the most ideal acquisition the Warriors should pursue in the offseason, although it would be difficult for GSW to sign him without giving up other players from their core, with Batum likely to command a max deal in free agency.
Moreover, Batum would likely get offers from other teams that have more cap space for free agents. The New York Knicks are one of the teams reportedly willing to offer the versatile forward a max contract, and other teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers, who tops the list of ball clubs with most cap space heading into the offseason, could also be in the mix to chase after Batum.
It is somewhat inevitable the Warriors would lose Barnes in free agency, considering the possible high price Golden State must match to retain him. But if someone like Batum becomes an available replacement to Barnes, the Warriors must capitalize on the situation even if it means giving up some of the players in their roster.