OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 12: Draymond Green, Head coach Steve Kerr and President of Basketball Operations, Bob Myers of the Golden State Warriors speak during media availability as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 12, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors have shown the world what kind of organization they’re running.
The Golden State Warriors played their hearts out in the 2019 NBA Finals, but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome the length, athleticism, and defensive tenacity of the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors had their championship parade today, and the Warriors added to the good vibes in Toronto by putting a full page ad in the Toronto Star.
That is an organizational move by Golden State that just screams pure class.
It will be a stressful summer for the Warriors that can go one of two ways. They could re-sign Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson to max contracts and basically punt next season. That would be because KD has an Achilles tear and Thompson tore his ACL. Those are both almost year-long rehab processes, and there is no guarantee that either of them will ever be the same player again. That’s just the sad reality of those type of leg injuries.
Or, those guys could bolt in free agency and leave Stephen Curry and Draymond Green to pick up the pieces. That would definitely allow the Warriors not to owe as much luxury tax, but they would be more than happy to pay anything if it means another run at a championship.
It’s kind of complicated.
The Raptors are facing questions of their own this summer. Kawhi Leonard will be a free agent as well, and it has been rumored all season that he might sign with the Los Angeles Clippers in his home state of California this summer.
The Washington Wizards are also planning to offer Raptors president Masai Ujiri an ownership stake to lure him to their organization, but does this look like a guy who will leave Canada anytime soon?
Congratulations to the Raptors for potentially ending a dynasty, and to the Warriors for showing such grace in defeat.