The Golden State Warriors are heading into a very anticipated season for the franchise after winning a playoff series last postseason against the Denver Nuggets and now that the team has signed Andre Iguodala to a contract, the team feels that it can make another playoff run in the western conference.
One player that will be essential to any success this season is center Andrew Bogut and that is one reason why the Warriors are already started to have contract talks with the big man. According to Pro Basketball Talk, NBA.com is reporting that Bogut and the Warriors have already started talks about a new contract extension this season, as both sides could be looking to keep the star off the free agent market next summer, as he is expected to be a top target for teams like the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bogut is coming into the season after being injured last year, but he was able to return for the playoffs and now he could be locked up before he even hits the market. Bogut was expected to be a prime target for teams, including the Bulls, Lakers and Heat, but those teams may never get a chance to offer him a deal, as the Warriors could lock him up before that. Last season Bogut played in just 32 games in the regular season while dealing with an injury and after putting up 5.8 points and just over seven rebounds per game, he returned for the postseason.
In the playoffs, Bogut played in 12 games and had over 10 rebounds per game with just over seven points per contest and he was one reason why the Warriors were able to advance over the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the postseason. ESPN.com reports that Bogut and his representatives started off working with the team last week on an extension, as they said that both sides would rather not negotiate into the regular season, which starts in a couple weeks.
The Warriors start the season on October 30 and if Bogut and the team can't work out an extension early in the season, he likely will be hitting the free agent market instead. The team made an initial offer that according to Bogut wasn't "insulting" and now the two sides will work from there as they try and get a deal done. Bogut's extensive injury history, including last season when he missed 50 games as well as past knee injuries could play a factor, but the Warriors like his toughness and that could play a big part in the contract.
The Warriors know that if Bogut gets out on the market, chances are they won't be able to re-sign him, as many teams will look to pay him money and that could price him out for the Warriors after the team signed Andre Iguodala this past offseason. Bogut was a top pick for the Bucks before being traded to the Warriors and now he will be playing in the last year of his deal, which was for five years and $60 million and he could get a three year extension with the team or if he goes to be a free agent, he can sign a four year deal, although he has stated that he would like to stay in California.
