Warriors plan to build on success (w/video)

This season, Golden State has opted for a light touchup over a major makeover.|

OAKLAND - David Lee learned to block out trade talk during his days with the New York Knicks when just about everybody on the roster was rumored to be on the move at some point.

With the Golden State Warriors involved in discussions to acquire Kevin Love from Minnesota this offseason, Lee said he never wasted time wondering about his future after he heard the news. Instead, he worked on his rehabilitation and remained as secluded as he could in the Los Angeles area.

“There’s really no reason to read anything more into it. It’s either going to happen or it’s not,” Lee said Monday, addressing the topic for the first time publicly during the Warriors’ media day. “If I get a phone call and they say I’m moving to Minnesota, then I go buy a jacket. At that point, it’s like go buy a jacket and maybe one of those Hummers, the wide ones. But after that, it doesn’t happen, so I stay with the hoodie for night time.”

Lee won’t need a new wardrobe now. The Warriors ended their pursuit of Love long ago and opted for a light touchup over a major makeover.

Golden State’s decision to keep its core together says a lot about the confidence management has in the roster heading into today’s first training camp practice under new coach Steve Kerr. And for the players, it’s extra motivation to build on a 51-win season and back-to-back playoff appearances.

The Warriors brought back all five starters - Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Lee and Andrew Bogut - along with budding young reserves Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes. They also added veteran guards Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa after letting backups Steve Blake and Jordan Crawford go elsewhere.

The Warriors, who fired coach Mark Jackson days after the season ended, had an opportunity to overhaul the roster.

Ultimately, they chose not to include Thompson with Lee in any potential deal for Love.

Minnesota moved on and traded Love to Cleveland for a package of former No. 1 draft picks, which the Timberwolves might have preferred anyway.

The other offseason question surrounding Lee is one many of his teammates share: how healthy he is following an injury that required a procedure.

Lee said he’s completely recovered from a “minor core muscle” surgery. He said the one positive from his rehabilitation is the only physical activity he could do for a while was work on his midrange shooting, which he struggled with late last season.

Livingston, who had arthroscopic surgery on the big toe of his right foot Aug. 13, is the only player not expected to participate in today’s opening practice. He will likely miss most, if not all, of training camp.

Livingston said his goal is to play in the regular-season opener at the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 29.

Backup center Festus Ezeli, who missed all of last season recovering from right knee surgery, and reserve guard Nemanja Nedovic (fractured right foot) are in the final stages of their rehabs. Both said they are planning to participate in training camp but will be worked in slowly.

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