The Warriors are expected to finalize a deal to keep Kristaps Porzingis in the organization imminently, report Marc Stein and Jake Fischer in their latest edition of The Stein Line (subscriber link). Like Trae Young, Al Horford, and others, Porzingis is likely to use the window that allows teams to negotiate with their own free agents prior to Tuesday’s official start to free agency.
Golden State is also still expected to pursue Lakers free agent LeBron James, who, as of Friday, reportedly had yet to engage in serious discussions with LA on a new deal. Previous reports had indicated that the Warriors were expecting James to stay with the Lakers, but his plans remain unclear. The Warriors are banking on a pitch that includes the fact that their team would be the closest James could be to his home base in LA without going to the Clippers.
Golden State is limited by what they can offer the 22-time All-Star, though. They are expected to have around the $15MM midlevel to offer, but the final amount will be determined by what happens with Draymond Green and Porzingis.
The team is also expected to explore other free agent alternatives while they wait to see what James decides to do. Reserve big man Jock Landale, Anfernee Simons, and Collin Sexton are all expected targets, with the latter two representing a clear interest from Golden State in acquiring another scoring ball-handler to put in the guard rotation.
On that note, Kevin Porter Jr. would have likely been a target for them had he not picked up his player option with the Bucks.
We have more news from around the NBA, courtesy of The Stein Line: