NBA Free Agent Rumors: Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets Eyeing Marco Belinelli
Despite having the two top three-point shooters in the league in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors are still looking to add a prolific sniper to their roster. The team is pursuing 2014 three-point shootout champion and San Antonio Spurs free agent Marco Belinelli, as reported by Yahoo correspondent Marc Spears.
The Warriors are taking steps to improve their team for another deep playoff run - even after being the 2015 World Champions of the NBA Finals. Warriors executive and NBA legend Jerry West has always been reported alluding to the need for another shooter to improve the team's spacing.
Belinelli started his NBA career with the Warriors in 2007. He was waived after two years.
Another team interested in the Italian sharpshooter is Michael Jordan's Charlotte Hornets. After a lukewarm season due to various issues surrounding their acquisition of ex-Pacer Lance Stephenson, the Hornets are rebuilding. The team has already acquired Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lamb through trades, and is looking to add a third shooting guard in Belinelli.
In 2013, the Hornets acquired Gary Neal from the San Antonio Spurs. Neal's three-point shooting helped propel the Spurs through the 2013 NBA Finals, but they lost to Lebron James' Miami Heat.
Belinelli was one of the bench players who helped solidify the San Antonio Spurs trademark motion offense, which won them the 2014 NBA Championship.
After this year's early playoff exit, the Spurs are rebuilding and are expected to make major moves in the offseason. They are pursuing free agent LaMarcus Aldridge, a max contract power forward from the Portland Trailblazers, Yahoo reported. To be in the position to offer the salary that a player like Aldridge commands, the Spurs have to free up some cap space by releasing most of their free agents including Belinelli.
The Spurs signed Belinelli on a two-year, $5.6 million deal in 2013, when Belinelli entered free agency after a one-year stint with the Chicago Bulls. The three-point specialist turned out to be a jackpot deal after his shooting prowess helped boost the San Antonio Spurs's already stellar offense.
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