Dub Hub: Warriors are willing to ‘shake up’ their core, per report

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Friday, May 31st.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• The Athletic’s Anthony Slater wrote an article updating where the Warriors currently stand in their offseason plans, including their willingness to “shake up” their core.
• The Warriors may be interested in Heat star Jimmy Butler if he were to become available, according to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.
• NBA Finals schedule is set with a matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks.

The Golden State Warriors are in for a very interesting offseason. Among their long list of needs, changes to their roster may be chief among them.

Golden State’s front office, led by first year general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., opted to run it back with a similar squad this past season, hoping that a few changes around the core would bring the team back to their championship ways. However, they were left disappointed as the team ended their season on a sour note, losing in the first round of the Play-In tournament.

After giving the vets a chance, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reports that the team is willing to “shake up” their core in an effort to bring a fresh perspective to the team.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, May 31st:

Warriors News:

Klay Thompson’s market, Warriors coaching staff changes and other free agents to watch | The Athletic

So there isn’t anything imminent or even deep in the works, but transaction days are fast approaching. Indications remain that the Warriors’ front office intends to be aggressive and willing to shake up the core, feeling that this group was given a chance to stick together this past trade deadline and it didn’t even result in a playoff berth.

What will that materialize into? That’s hard to decipher without knowing what will be available to them and how exactly they plan to navigate the luxury tax. The Warriors have stated a desire to duck it entirely, if the opportunity presents, but indicate they will remain in it if there is a move they believe vaults them back into contention. What move or player would qualify? Could this just end up being a step-back season even if it won’t be messaged that way?

Warriors could be interested in Heat superstar Jimmy Butler if he were to become available

Report: Klay, Warriors at ‘no notable movement’ on contract talks | NBC Sports Bay Area

Golden State remains interested in retaining Thompson “at the right price” once other parts of the roster come into place, Slater added, but Thompson is expected to enter NBA free agency this July for the first time since 2019.

“[The Warriors] haven’t exactly been beating down his door to work out the framework for an extension (which can be signed at any time),” Slater wrote. “In turn, the 34-year-old Thompson appears ready to test free-agency waters, exploring external options for the first time in his career.

“… Thompson spent the last month traveling and decompressing after an early, bitter end to a stressful season. But June is business time in the NBA. It’s time for Thompson and his representation to figure out what options are truly out there for him, what he wants and what it would take for Golden State to lure him back. Then it’ll be on the Warriors to offer it or not.”

Report: Warriors, ex-Lakers coach Ham have had assistant talks | NBC Sports Bay Area

With the future of lead assistant Kenny Atkinson uncertain as he continues to draw head-coaching interest around the league, along with other coaching gaps to fill, the Warriors had some conversations with former Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham in recent weeks, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported, citing league sources.

Ham, who had two years remaining on his Lakers contract, was fired earlier this month after just two seasons with Los Angeles. The decision came just days after the Lakers were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets for the second consecutive season in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Warriors wing Moses Moody celebrates his 22nd birthday

NBA News:

Luka Doncic’s scorching start sends Mavs to NBA Finals | ESPN

“It was Luka magic mode,” Kidd said. “He set the tone, and then he made it easier for everyone else. Everybody else stepped up.”

Doncic seized control from the Mavericks’ opening possession of the night. He scored 10 points in the first 153 seconds and single-handedly outscored the Timberwolves by a 20-19 margin in the first quarter. He punctuated most of his buckets — including an off-dribble 3-pointer from the half-court logo — by sneering toward one courtside fan in particular who drew Doncic’s wrath.

“You know that gets me going,” said Doncic, who also had 10 rebounds and 5 assists. “Everybody knows that by now.”

“Man, I was enjoying it,” said Mavericks costar Kyrie Irving, who also scored 36 points in the clincher. “You’re just watching a special performance take place. … When Luka starts off a game like that, we’re a tough team to beat.”

Timberwolves’ offseason questions: Ownership fight, Tim Connelly and a looming bill | The Athletic

The luxury tax line is projected to be $172 million for next season with the punitive second apron tier at around $190 million. Spending over that amount can restrict a team’s ability to trade future draft picks, sign and trade players and use the salary cap exceptions to sign free agents.

Taylor has indicated internally a willingness to pay the luxury tax to keep the team competitive, team sources said. Lore and Rodriguez have said they would do the same should they prevail in their fight to buy the team.

If either side decided to cut payroll, Towns’ max salary and a frontcourt that also has Gobert and Reid as bigs would get trade machine aficionados cracking their knuckles. Towns has spent all nine of his seasons in Minnesota and said he wants to come back for a 10th.

Official schedule for the NBA Finals starting Thursday, June 6th

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

How much longer will Steve Kerr coach for?

It’s hard for me to imagine Kerr walking away from the Warriors while Curry is still there; and harder still if Draymond Green and/or Klay Thompson are. But when those three hang up their sneakers, what will be left Kerr’s relationship with Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and any other young player who looks worthy of building around? Perhaps he’ll find compelling reasons to try and build the next era of Dubs basketball.

But if I had to bet? When 2026 rolls around, Curry and Kerr would figure out how much is left in their individual tanks, as well as the team’s. And then I’d expect a new contract — just one or two years — for each. Again aligning. Again ending together.

A tweet to end the week:

Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.