Golden State Warriors Could Lose Key Player In Free Agency

A key Golden State Warriors player will be a free agent.

Feb 23, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talks to media members before the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Dario Saric is coming off a productive year where he played in 64 games for the Golden State Warriors.

The veteran forward finished the regular season with averages of 8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest while shooting 46.6% from the field and 37.6% from the three-point range in just 17 minutes of playing time.

This summer, Saric will be a free agent that is available to sign with any team in the league.

Dario Saric hits from 3 to cut the Kings lead to 1! 🎯

Warriors-Kings | Live on the NBA App
📲: https://t.co/1wqRX7Uwkw pic.twitter.com/NdE5CG5TSz

— NBA (@NBA) November 2, 2023

Last summer, Saric signed a minimum deal with Golden State.

Since he had a productive season, it may be extremely challenging for the Warriors to re-sign Saric.

Via Chris Dodson of ClutchPoints on January 23: "Golden State will only have non-Bird Rights on Saric if he's retained into the offseason, limited to offering him a salary up to 120% of his earnings this season because the team is over the salary cap."

Dario Šarić
too smooth. pic.twitter.com/fh4Di5o8wO

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 4, 2023

If there is no market for Saric, the Warriors could sign him again, but if any NBA team is willing to give him slightly above the minimum, they will lose him.

Mar 13, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Dario Saric (20) warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The 30-year-old was the 12th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and has played seven seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns.

His career averages are 10.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest while shooting 44.5% from the field and 36.2% from the three-point range in 477 regular season games.

He has also appeared in 24 NBA playoff games (ten starts).

Feb 23, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Dario Saric (left) congratulates guard Gary Payton II (0) after a basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports