Warriors buyout idea would land $45 million former Celtics star to help Stephen Curry

The Golden State Warriors have always been known for their high-paced, perimeter-oriented offense, bolstered by the unmatched shooting ability of Stephen Curry. The franchise has consistently remained in the upper echelons of the NBA, with a blend of elite shooting, sharp basketball IQ, and strong defense. However, despite the continued brilliance of Curry, recent seasons have seen the team face challenges, including roster inconsistency, injuries, and the absence of key players. This raises the question: what moves could the Warriors make to keep themselves as championship contenders? One such potential move is signing a former Boston Celtics star who might be available via a buyout — a player who can help carry the Warriors back to prominence.

The Buyout Market in the NBA: A Key Path to Improvement

The NBA’s buyout market has become a vital avenue for teams to strengthen their rosters midseason. Typically, players who are no longer in their teams’ plans or have fallen out of favor are waived and bought out of their contracts. These players are often on hefty contracts, and once bought out, they become free agents, able to sign with any team that can accommodate them. The buyout market offers contenders a chance to add talented veterans without needing to part with valuable assets.

For the Golden State Warriors, who have a strong core but may need a boost to get over the top, the buyout market is an important source of potential reinforcement. Warriors general manager Bob Myers and the front office have shown a keen interest in bolstering the team around Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and the rest of their supporting cast. With an eye on maximizing Curry’s window of dominance, the Warriors are always on the lookout for savvy acquisitions that can both improve the team’s depth and contribute to their championship aspirations.

The Potential Celtics Star: A $45 Million Former Star

While the NBA buyout market often includes aging veterans or fringe role players, there are occasionally high-profile names that make their way into the fold. A player who could make a difference for the Warriors is a former Boston Celtics star who earned an eye-popping $45 million salary. This star has experienced success in Boston and could bring a level of talent, leadership, and versatility that could complement Curry’s dynamic skill set.

Let’s explore the possibilities of how this player could help the Warriors on both ends of the floor.

Scoring Firepower to Complement Curry

Stephen Curry’s playmaking ability has been at the center of the Warriors’ success. He is widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time and is the engine that drives the Warriors’ offense. However, despite Curry’s brilliance, the Warriors have often faced challenges when it comes to providing a consistent secondary scoring option. Klay Thompson, while a phenomenal shooter, has struggled with injuries in recent years. Draymond Green, although a fantastic defender and playmaker, is not a primary scorer. This imbalance has sometimes left Curry with too much of a burden to carry.

This $45 million former Celtics star could fill the exact void the Warriors need — a capable scorer who can create his own offense and provide additional spacing for Curry and Thompson. If the player is a talented wing or forward with a scoring arsenal, he could be a versatile asset in the Warriors’ system. Imagine a player who can knock down three-pointers, drive to the basket, and generate his own shot in isolation situations. With the Warriors’ emphasis on ball movement and creating open shots, this player could thrive within their offensive scheme.

Moreover, such a scoring threat could help relieve some of the pressure on Curry. Defenders often focus too much on Curry when he’s on the floor, and a secondary star capable of scoring efficiently could force opposing defenses to shift their attention. This creates more open shots for Curry and Thompson and allows the Warriors to maintain their fast-paced offensive style. In high-pressure playoff games, having a go-to secondary scorer who can create his own shot and provide consistent scoring would be invaluable.

Defensive Versatility and Leadership

While scoring is important, defense is equally crucial for the Warriors to make a deep playoff run. They have historically been a team built on solid defense, anchored by Draymond Green’s unmatched defensive IQ and leadership. However, relying too heavily on Green to guard multiple positions or anchor the defense can be problematic, especially as he ages. A versatile defender who can guard multiple positions and provide additional rim protection would give the Warriors a better defensive foundation.

The Celtics star in question could help fill this role. His defensive ability might not be at the level of Green’s, but if he is a capable perimeter defender or has the ability to lock down opposing wings, he could be a key asset on that end of the floor. Additionally, if the player has the ability to contribute as a secondary playmaker or initiate offense from the wing, the Warriors’ system could flourish even more. The Warriors’ defense could become more dynamic, with players like Green, Curry, Thompson, and the new star working together to stifle opposing offenses.

Leadership is another aspect of the game that is often understated. A player with experience leading a team in high-pressure situations can be invaluable to a young squad in the postseason. While Curry has been the Warriors’ undisputed leader, adding another voice in the locker room, especially someone who has dealt with playoff pressure, can strengthen the Warriors’ mentality heading into big games.

Salary Cap Considerations: How the Warriors Can Make This Work

The Warriors have a significant payroll, with large contracts committed to Curry, Thompson, Green, and other key players. This can make adding a $45 million player complicated, but not impossible. If the Celtics star is indeed bought out, he could be willing to take a smaller contract to chase a championship with a contender like the Warriors. Many veteran players have done this in the past, choosing to prioritize winning over a large payday at the tail end of their careers.

In this case, the Warriors’ front office would likely make moves to clear up cap space, either through trades or by using their taxpayer mid-level exception to fit the new star under the cap. The Warriors have demonstrated the willingness to go into the luxury tax to compete for championships, so finding a way to sign a player like this would not be out of the question.

The Impact on the Warriors’ Championship Contention

Adding this $45 million former Celtics star to the roster would immediately elevate the Warriors’ championship odds. The Warriors would gain a talented player who can both score and defend, providing much-needed depth. This move would allow Curry to be more effective on both ends of the floor and reduce the pressure he faces each game. With a full roster of healthy contributors, the Warriors would be better positioned to challenge for another title.

The Warriors’ system is designed to maximize the talent of its players, and a versatile, skilled player like this would fit seamlessly into their high-energy, ball-moving offense. His leadership would also provide stability during crucial moments of the playoffs when the stakes are at their highest. For Curry and the Warriors, having another piece capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game would be the missing ingredient for championship glory.

The Golden State Warriors’ pursuit of a $45 million former Celtics star via the buyout market could be a game-changer for their championship aspirations. Adding a dynamic, multi-talented player would provide an instant scoring threat, enhance their defense, and offer crucial leadership at a time when the Warriors need to make the most of Curry’s prime years. While the Warriors are already a title contender, this potential acquisition could be the key to unlocking a new level of success and bringing another championship back to the Bay Area.