Bob Myers says Warriors don’t plan to use mid-level exception on a free agent

The Warriors’ major offseason moves are likely done as general manager Bob Myers said he does not anticipate using the taxpayer mid-level exception, his last remaining tool to add a meaningful contributor to the team’s roster.

“We offered it to a few people, but they chose other directions,” Myers said Friday at a press conference. “We put it out there, but we weren’t just going to put it out there without some level of discernment. So we tried. Ultimately after a few guys went off the board, we kind of held it in check.”

Although Golden State sought to use the $5.9 million exception on a proven player in the early moments of free agency, the front office’s targets signed with other teams. The Warriors were reportedly interested in point guard Patty Mills, who signed with the Brooklyn Nets, and forward Nic Batum, who re-signed with the LA Clippers.

According to a league source, the Warriors did inquire about Dennis Schroder. But the former Los Angeles Lakers point guard on Tuesday signed with the Boston Celtics for the full taxpayer mid-level exception.

While other potentially helpful free agents remain available, the Warriors do not deem any worth the full $5.9 million and the ensuing luxury tax implications. The Warriors organization is already a repeat luxury taxpayer, meaning each additional salary comes with an escalating tax bill. Using the full $5.9 million exception would result in more than $30 million in luxury taxes.

Remaining free agents include guards Avery Bradley, Wesley Matthews, Frank Ntilikina and JJ Redick; and forwards James Ennis and Paul Millsap.

Golden State currently has 17 players under contract including Chris Chiozza, who will fill one of two two-way spots. The Warriors will need to trim the roster to a maximum of 15 players by opening night. Damion Lee, Mychal Mulder and Gary Payton II — who had the guarantee date for his contract extended to training camp — will compete for a roster spot in camp.

In order to minimize costs, Myers said he anticipates carrying only 14 players into the regular season unless a trusted backup point guard emerges.

“I think we still need some kind of ball-handling guard,” Myers said. “We’re a little bit thin there.”

Fans might point to the taxpayer midlevel exception as a means to fill that role, and the refusal to use the exception is understandably frustrating. Myers telegraphed the idea of skipping the exception during his end-of-season press conference in May, saying that a $400 million payroll would be “exceeding the limit” to what he could spend. As it currently stands, the Warriors’ salary and taxes will cost upwards of $360 million.

However, should a difference-maker become available during the season via buyout, Myers did not squelch the possibility of using the exception then to entice a contributor to join Golden State.

“We still may use it depending on how things shake out as the season goes on,” Myers said. “I don’t think we’ll use it with what’s left in free agency.”

Other notable quotes

» Myers said Stephen Curry is in a “very good place” and was involved in Golden State’s offseason plans before agreeing to sign a four-year, $215 million extension.

“That, obviously, was probably the most important thing we could do,” Myers said. “We didn’t take that for granted.

“He seems genuinely happy and there were no conditions to it. We talked quite a bit leading up to free agency the draft, got his thoughts. Steph’s never demanding, he’s always pleasant, he’s always collaborative, he’s always been that way since I’ve known him. But he’s in a very good place and I think he got a glimpse into how we were trying to construct things in the draft and free agency.”

» Despite Jonathan Kuminga being considered raw by many leading up to the draft, Myers said Golden State’s coaches have been impressed with his Summer League performance and his overall feel for the game.

“The coaches have been more positive on him than I might have thought they might be,” Myers said. “There are moments where you see all of the athleticism and physicality that he brings, and there are moments where you say, ‘Well, you’re not gonna be able to do that in the NBA game.’

“But there are special qualities he has that are rare for an 18-year-old,” he continued. “It’s just about refining those things.”

» During Golden State’s Summer League game on Wednesday, head coach Steve Kerr told Myers he was less concerned with Kuminga’s assist-to-turnover ratio and was more impressed with Kuminga’s willingness to pass.

“He has to grow in that area, but he isn’t somebody that is incapable or completely unaware or doesn’t want to. He needs to get better at some of the passing decision-making, but he wants to.”

»  Myers said Andre Iguodala, who signed for the minimum, “still has stuff to give physically and mentally” and “gives us something we need — intellectually, maturity, experience. Can’t find a better guy to teach Kuminga or [Moses] Moody.”