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There is no question point guard Jarrett Jack played a huge role for the Golden State Warriors during the 2012-13 NBA season, especially in the playoffs. The argument can be made that the Warriors would not have gone as far as they did in the postseason without the stellar play of Jack. That is even more reason why the Warriors must find a way to bring back the backup point guard next season.

Point guard Stephen Curry wants nothing more than to see Jack re-sign with Golden State in order to be an effective sixth man off the bench. He knows how much Jack meant to the team, and he understands that the 27-year-old is a critical piece to the puzzle if the Warriors want to repeat their success.

“This is the place for him,” Curry said, according to the San Jose Mercury News. “He’s bounced around a lot. For him to have hopefully found a home here for the foreseeable future would be huge. I know he wants to be part of a winning team, and I think we have that here now.”

Jack averaged 12.9 points, 5.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game during the regular season. However, his performance in the postseason is what could get him a decent deal in free agency if he decided to leave Golden State. Jack averaged 17.2 points, 4.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 35.5 minutes per game. He also shot a whopping 50.6 percent from the field in 12 games (four starts).

The Warriors will have to choose between power forward Carl Landry and him because it will be too expensive to re-sign both players. There really should not be much thought put into it considering Jack is by far the more valuable asset for the Warriors.

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After the Golden State Warriors produced one of the best seasons in their franchise’s history last year, this offseason looks as though it could be fairly uneventful. Without much cap room, they probably won’t be able to go after any significant signings. Because of this, they will likely have to let go of backup guard Jarrett Jack and try to fill his shoes with a cheaper veteran.

What would happen, though, if the Warriors attempted to make a deal happen this offseason?

In 2014, center Andrew Bogut is set to become a free agent and so far throughout his career he hasn’t been able to produce consistent output. Having dealt with a handful of injuries and never being able to stay completely healthy, Bogut’s production has gone down and his value to the Warriors has diminished.

Bogut is set to earn $14.2 million in 2013 and if Golden State could somehow manage to get a deal done, they would potentially get some sort of value for him instead of losing him for absolutely nothing next summer.

Whether the Warriors are able to get another expiring contract or two in return that could potentially help for a deeper playoff run with an already elite back court, or possibly a player and a pick, there are possibilities out there for the deal to happen. Golden State would still have options to fill his spot with an un-drafted free agent – which they have already explored – or via another veteran free agent.

This hasn’t been a very common topic, nor has it really been brought up lately, but I believe the Warriors should explore the option. Last season, Bogut only averaged just under six points per game in 24 minutes. Yeah, he gave them almost eight rebounds and 1.7 blocks, but his inconsistent health and lack of offensive production has hurt the team more than helped them.

I would not be shocked if the Warriors decided to explore the possibility of moving Bogut this summer. There are teams out there with a need down low and willing to take a chance on him even if it was just for a year. He presents the potential of a solid defender in the paint and the flexibility of allowing him to leave after this season if he disappoints.

Ryan Heckman is a Senior NBA writer for RantSports.com also contributing to the NFL. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmheckman  or add him to your network on Google.

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The Golden State Warriors worked out Santa Clara guard Kevin Foster on Saturday to get a better look at him in person. Santa Clara’s all-time leading scorer (2,423 points) is not on anybody’s draft board, but that does not mean he will not end up with Golden State anyways.

Foster wants nothing more than “to play so close to his adopted home.

But at the same time I just want to get drafted somewhere,” Foster said, according to The Oakland Tribune. “So it’s not really a preference.”

There is a very good chance Foster will not get drafted despite the fact that he put up solid numbers during his four years at Santa Clara. Not to mention, he is tied for fourth for most 3-point field goals made in NCAA history. He also holds the NCAA record for most 3-point field goals made per game during a single season. Unfortunately, there are too many concerns surrounding his game, specifically his passing ability.

The Warriors liked what they saw of Foster during the team workout, especially since he has improved his dribbling and passing skills since his senior year at Santa Clara concluded. Golden State does not have any draft picks during the 2013 NBA Draft, which means it does not matter to them if Foster does not get selected. The Warriors like their chances of acquiring him as an undrafted rookie, if they believe he is worth a roster spot, or signing him to a NBA D-League affiliate.

At this point, Golden State is interested in anyone that could eventually help the team go the distance in the ensuing years.

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The Golden State Warriors made an impressive – some would argue improbable - run this year during the regular season and into the 2013 NBA Playoffs. The absolute biggest reason for their success was due to the quickly rising stardom of point guard Stephen Curry.

After not being voted into the 2013 NBA All Star Game in February, it seemed as if Curry took it personally. After all, he was playing some of the best basketball out of anybody in the league. For him to get snubbed as he did was an injustice and an embarrasment to voters.

Last season, Curry put up one of the more impressive stat lines out of any point guard in the entire NBA. He boasted a giant 22.9 points per game while dishing out 6.9 assists in the process. At only 6’3” he also reeled in 4.0 rebounds a night as well.

Curry has been very consistent taking the ball away over his career too. A career average of 1.7 steals per game has him looking like there is nothing he cannot do on either end of court.

In 2012, Curry shot the ball at a solid rate of 45 percent. While that is in fact the lowest percentage of his career, there is a perfectly logical reason why. Prior to 2012, Curry hadn’t taken more than 4.7 three point shots per game. Last year, that number rose to 7.7.

What makes this excusable? His percentage from downtown was also 45 percent – incredible, right?

Curry has improved in almost every area each year in the league, especially last season in regards to his assist total. His per game average rose by 1.6 assists per game, showing he has gotten much better at getting his teammates involved.

With the likes of Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving and Deron Williams – among others – atop everyone’s list of the league’s best point guards, Curry is often a guy overlooked or easily forgotten. Make no mistake about it, though, next season that will not be the case.

If he continues at this rate of improvement, Curry could leapfrog a couple of those guys and launch himself even as far as an MVP candidate. There has been nobody better shooting the ball when hot than Curry over this past season – nobody.

With not a whole lot going on in the offseason – the Warriors do not own a pick in the draft – they can focus mostly on improvement from last season. If this team sticks together, I don’t see a reason why Curry couldn’t carry these guys even further into the playoffs next year. Who knows, maybe even an NBA Finals could be in store in the near future?

Ryan Heckman is a Senior NBA writer for RantSports.com also contributing to the NFL. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmheckman  or add him to your network on Google.<!–

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Without a pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors are hoping to find a gem in the pool of un-drafted free agents. It’s not always the best news when you’re selected to work out for a team without a pick, as that probably means you are suspected to go without being picked. But, the opportunity to work out for a franchise is a great position to be in, nonetheless.

The Warriors announced the list of participants for this week’s pre-draft workout to be held Friday, and one of the more intriguing players to be there is forward Arslan Kazemi out of Oregon. While being projected to go un-drafted, Kazemi has great potential for fitting with Golden State.

Out of all the power forward prospects in the draft, Kazemi ranks third in defensive rebounds per 40 minutes according to Draft Express. Pulling in 13.4 rebounds total, he ranks fifth overall – not too bad for the likes of a guy who will not likely be picked.

Kazemi also presents a problem for opposing teams on defense, stealing the ball twice per game. With so much offense on the squad this past year, the ability to rebound and be more of a defensive standout would benefit the team greatly.

It’s not that Kazemi is an offensive slouch. He did finish last year shooting the ball at 59.5 percent but only 9.4 points per game. The Warriors would likely not need a huge contribution on offense from the forward, but he would definitely make some noise elsewhere. It will be interesting to see whether or not he is drafted. If not, look for the Warriors to give him a shot.

Ryan Heckman is a Senior NBA writer for RantSports.com also contributing to the NFL. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmheckman  or add him to your network on Google.

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Golden State Warriors rookie small forward Harrison Barnes and shooting guard Klay Thompson have both been invited to the USA Basketball Select Team camp this summer in Las Vegas. There is no question Barnes and Thompson deserve the invite after their solid performances for the Warriors during the 2012-13 NBA season.

Barnes, who was selected seventh overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, had an outstanding first year at the professional level. The 21-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 25.4 minutes per game during the regular season. He also averaged 43.9 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from beyond the arc in 81 starts. For his great effort, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Barnes stepped it up big time in the postseason after Golden State clinched their first playoff berth in six years. He averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 38.4 minutes per game. He also converted 44.4 percent of his 13.5 field goal attempts per game and 36.5 percent of his shots from 3-point range. There is no doubt his performance was a huge reason why the Warriors almost defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Thompson stepped his game up across the board in his second season in the NBA. He averaged 16.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 35.8 minutes per game in 82 starts. He also shot 42.2 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from 3-point land.

Thompson may not have scored as many points in the playoffs, but his shooting numbers certainly improved. He averaged 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 41.3 minutes per game. Meanwhile, he converted 43.7 percent of his 14.5 shot attempts per game and 42.4 percent from beyond the arc.

The numbers do not lie for either player, which is why Team USA would like to get a good look at them in person in Las Vegas. Barnes and Thompson will undergo three days of training and exercise that will be topped off with a USA Basketball Showcase game on July 25. This is a chance for them to be a part of something special when Team USA plays in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain and 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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It is no secret that newly hired Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri believes he could improve the team immensely by trading power forward Andrea Bargnani. In fact, Ujiri is determined to get rid of the 27-year-old prior to July 1. That means any team willing to acquire Bargnani in a trade will most likely get him for a great deal. Would it be wise for the Golden State Warriors to pick up the phone and make an offer?

Bargnani posted one of the worst statistical seasons of his NBA career in 2012-13. He averaged 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 28.7 minutes per game. He also managed to convert 39.9 percent of his 12.2 shot attempts from the field and 30.9 percent of his shots from beyond the arc in 35 games (25 starts).

With that being said, the former No. 1 overall pick still has the potential to be a phenomenal basketball player for years to come. Toronto has already paid too much money for a player that simply did not deliver for them. Obviously, the organization believes he could be a good player, but Ujiri was brought in to make some big changes to improve the team immediately.

I believe that Bargnani could thrive if placed in the right atmosphere. Golden State appears to be just the team that can use his offensive talents while also making up for his defensive shortcomings.

For being 7’0” tall, the Italy native has never been an above-average rebounder. However, the Warriors do not need a solid rebounder considering they already have Andrew Bogut and David Lee. What Golden State does need is a top-notch perimeter shooter who can expand defenses so that other playmakers can work the paint. Bargnani has converted 43.7 percent of his shots from beyond the arc in his career, which is a great statistic for a big man.

There is plenty of risk involved if the Warriors did decide to pursue Bargnani. For instance, $10.75 million for next season could be an easy way to screw up the chance for opportunities elsewhere if the six-year player does not pan out. However, the reward is that Bargnani could be the missing piece to the puzzle that could get Golden State over the hump for the 2013-14 NBA season.

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The Golden State Warriors were one of the biggest breakout teams in the NBA this season with a 47-35 record. There can be a lot of credit given to assistant coach Mike Malone in helping the team become better defensively. Malone has now left town to become the new head coach of the Sacramento Kings, and I think the team may suffer next season on defense without him on the sidelines.

The Warriors were 19th in the NBA in points allowed, giving up 100 points a game. Malone’s job throughout his career has been to turn around teams who were bad on defense. He did a great job with this Golden State team, but where do they go from here?

It is obvious that this team can score with the best of them, but will players like David Lee and Stephen Curry begin to fall off on the defensive end? There is definitely the potential for that to happen, and that would not be good for the Golden State’s chances going forward.

It is a storyline that must be watched when the 2013-14 season gets underway. Malone will likely turn things around in Sacramento, but left a team that could contend for a title within a year or two. I will be watching for players like Curry, Lee and especially Andrew Bogut on the inside. Bogut was hurt a lot this season, but did average nearly two blocks a game.

The Warriors lost more than just a great assistant coach when Malone left — they may have lost their defensive identity.

Andy Schmidt is a columnist/writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ASchmidtSports, like his Facebook page or add him to your network on Google.

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While the Golden State Warriors did not contend as long as they had hoped to in the 2013 NBA Playoffs, they sure went further than many anticipated at the start of the season. The biggest reason for their success was without a doubt the play of point guard Stephen Curry.

The Davidson product captured fans’ attention real quickly this year with his ability to score with the best of them. At times he felt as if he could pull up from anywhere on the floor, even off-balanced, and knock down his shot. He proved that especially against his career-best game against the New York Knicks, scoring 54 points at Madison Square Garden.

With a back court like Curry and his teammate Klay Thompson, head coach Mark Jackson doesn’t sound so crazy calling them the best shooting back court in the history of the game. They will only get better and should contend at an even more competitive rate over the next few years.

According to the Charlotte Observer, Curry recently was quoted saying, “I know that not many players play their whole career for one team in one city. I don’t see a better place to play.”

Curry is right. Few can play for one franchise their entire career like Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant have done this generation. He will turn himself into a legend real quickly if he can embrace his city and show the kind of loyalty that is rare to see these days.

I’m sure Curry isn’t the only one hoping he stays in Golden State for the duration of his career – his fans multiplied in 2013 at an exponential rate. By the time his current contract is up, Curry will be 29 years old and at that point the team could look completely different.

With a couple of bad contracts yet to get rid of, the Warriors could have added even more talent by then making even tougher for Curry to walk away. For the sake of his recent sentiments and Warriors fans everywhere, let’s hope that turns out to be the case.

Ryan Heckman is a Senior NBA writer for RantSports.com also contributing to the NFL. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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Coming out of North Carolina as a rookie, it wasn’t quite clear what kind of pro Harrison Barnes could be. The Golden State Warriors quickly found out they had a future star.

As a rookie, Barnes was given just over 25 minutes per game. His stats would not blow anyone away, as he only averaged 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and just over an assist per game. However, stats aren’t too telling when it comes to his value with the team.

At points he would be the highlight of the night, throwing down monster dunks in the lane. There is no doubt that the kid is a momentum-shifter. His dunk on Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic could arguably be given the title as dunk of the year for this past season.

Barnes also possesses an admirable toughness to him. Earlier in the 2013 NBA Playoffs, you may remember him suffering a cut above his eye right before halftime against the San Antonio Spurs in game six. After spending some time in the locker room, Barnes returned to the game with six stitches to sew up the laceration.

Going into his sophomore year, Barnes will most likely receive a few more minutes here and there partly due to the fact that backup guard Jarrett Jack will not likely return – thus opening up minutes on the wing for Barnes. Giving him more playing time should only help him improve offensively – not that he is poor in this area by any means.

Barnes shot just short of 44 percent from the field as a rookie, but with the ability to attack the hoop like he can this number should rise if he asserts himself more frequently next year.

After an unbelievable run in the 2012-2013 season, the Warriors look to build on their success going into the offseason. Barnes will be an integral part of this team’s achievements in the future as they continue to improve as a unit. Head coach Mark Jackson has a phenomenal shooting back court and an underrated front court, but Barnes will be that ‘glue’ guy that holds them all together as they make another run at a title in 2014.

Ryan Heckman is a Senior NBA writer for RantSports.com also contributing to the NFL. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.