Report: Warriors eyeing Hassan Whiteside, Al Horford if they miss Kevin Durant

The Golden State Warriors are known to be interested in Kevin Durant, but it sounds like they intend to spend big even if they miss out on the top prize of the free agent market.

Should Kevin Durant sign elsewhere, the Warriors will reportedly look to upgrade their front court. According to Marcus Thompson II of the San Jose Mercury News, names that have been discussed include Al Horford, Hassan Whiteside and Joakim Noah.

In other words, the Warriors have money and they’re looking to spend it.

Thompson also notes that Golden State has interest in guards Nicolas Batum and Evan Turner, so bolstering back court depth is also an item on the offseason checklist.

Obviously, either Horford or Whiteside would be a major upgrade over Andrew Bogut, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The Heat have said they are making Whiteside their offseason priority, and the seven-footer is said to be seeking a max contract or something close to it. Horford will be in the same boat.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob has promised to be aggressive in free agency this summer even with a team that won an NBA single-season record 73 games last year. Lacob may have recently made himself sound arrogant by bragging after an epic collapse, but his team’s front office clearly knows what it’s doing. Golden State fans should expect some sort of big free agent signing this summer, whether it’s Durant or someone else.

H/T Pro Basketball Talk
Photo: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports