Three superior free agents the Warriors should have signed

With the contracts of Klay Thompson and Chris Paul off the books, the Golden State Warriors had financial flexibility this offseason to explore the free-agent market.

Free agency has settled since it opened June 30, but speculation remains rampant a big move by the Warriors could still be coming. Until then, however, Golden State has 14 roster positions filled with guaranteed deals (that doesn’t include second-round draft pick Quentin Post).

Let’s take a look at the Warriors’ three major free-agent signings and the superior alternatives GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. should have added instead. (Two of the players signed cheaper deals elsewhere.)

Warriors signed (via sign-and-trade): Former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson to a three-year, $27 million deal with the third year non-guaranteed.

... but should have signed: New Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith, who also signed a three-year, $27 million deal.

In Anderson, the Warriors added a savvy, versatile veteran who brings a solid defensive presence and a high basketball IQ while providing size (6-foot-9) and length (7-foot-3 wingspan). They also get a player who soon turns 31 and is nicknamed “Slo Mo” for his lack of speed.

Anderson isn’t known for his offensive prowess, either, shooting just 22,9% from deep last season and averaging a paltry 6.4 points.

On the other hand, Smith, who has a big frame (6-foot-9 and 215 pounds) and wingspan (7-foot-2), won’t turn 25 until March. The former 10th overall pick of the Phoenix Suns had a breakout season with Indiana in 2023-24, averaging 9.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in just 17.2 minutes per game and shooting an impressive 42.4% from deep.

The Warriors signed: Former Philadelphia 76ers point guard De’Anthony Melton to a one-year, $12.8 million deal.

... but should have signed: Phoenix Suns guard/forward Josh Okogie, who inked a two-year, $16 million deal , with the second season non-guaranteed.

A defensive stalwart, Melton was likely available for a one-year deal because back injuries caused him to miss 44 games last season. He's a career 36.9% three-point shooter who averaged 11.1 points last season.

Melton, who's 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, shares roughly the same physical stature as Stephen Curry, though, meaning the two of them sharing a backcourt together represents an average height of barely above 6-foot-2. Yes, size still matters in the NBA.

Okogie, known as a great chemistry guy, is a defensive menace . And Warriors fans are all too familiar with him given he shot an absurd 77.8% from deep in the four games they played against each other (the Suns won three of those four games).

The Warriors signed (via sign-and-trade): Former Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Buddy Hield to a four-year, $37.4 million deal with the first two years guaranteed.

...but should have signed: New Washington Wizards forward Saddiq Bey, who agreed to a three-year, $20 million deal.

Hield is expected to replace Thompson’s outside production despite shooting just 38.6% from deep last season, below his career 40% average. Hield isn’t known for his defense and turns 32 in December.

There’s also a logjam at Hield’s wing position, where the 6-foot-4 shooting guard will be fighting for minutes alongside Curry, Melton, Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, Lindy Waters III and two-way players Pat Spencer, Daeqwon Plowden and Reece Beekman. Adding Bey would have alleviated some of that pressure, although he won’t be available to play right away while he recovers from an ACL tear he suffered in March .

Bey, who's 6-foot-7, has the size the Warriors have sorely lacked. Plus, he averaged 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds last season despite struggling from deep (31.6%, well below his 35.2% career average).