Jerry Colangelo is optimistic about the future of the Golden State Warriors franchise.

Colangelo said the organization “could become one of the league’s great franchises.”

Colangelo and Joe Lacob became acquainted when the latter tried to buy the Suns.

“With Joe and Peter (Guber), I think you have a couple of young guys with a ton of passion. That’s a great start,” Colangelo said. “They’re savvy business people, and they’re surrounding themselves with good people. The basketball community is saying nothing but positive things about what they’re doing, and they’re doing it for a great fan base.

“Even through all of those bad years, there has been tremendous fan support. In my opinion, that could become one of the league’s great franchises.”

Colangelo also mentioned he believed the Warriors need a new arena. Oracle Arena in Oakland was renovated in 1997 for $121 million, but speculation of moving to the team to San Francisco has been substantial.

“A new arena would just elevate them even more,” Colangelo said. “I would expect that it’s going to be a very successful franchise for a long time.”