The Many Ripple Effects Of The Kevin Durant-Warriors Decision
Golden State Warriors
The Thunder, Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat all vied for Kevin Durant’s services, and no matter which team he chose, that team would’ve been a bonafide title contender.
The fact that he chose the best team of the bunch — a team whose Finals defeat marked the greatest upset in NBA history after winning 73 games — is downright terrifying for the rest of the league.
With a core of Curry, Thompson, KD, Green, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, the Warriors had already laid the foundations of quite possibly the greatest team in NBA history. Adding veteran center Zaza Pachulia on an unbelievable bargain contract only strengthens their case.
Vertical Sources: Free agent center Zaza Pachulia has agreed to a one-year, $2.9M deal to sign with the Golden State Warriors.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2016
With Durant joining the Dubs on a max deal, sacrifices are necessary. Restricted free agents Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli — two promising young players who have bright futures, contrary to what the general public would lead you to believe in the wake of their disastrous finish to the Finals — have to be renounced.
Andrew Bogut has to be traded to shed his $11 salary, and he will be dealt to the Dallas Mavericks for a second round pick. Bogut will join his good friend Barnes in a mass exodus to the Big D, as the Mavs will be making the Dubs’ former starting small forward a max four-year offer.
The Warriors will lose two talented starters, their backup center, and quite possibly part of their ultra-deep bench that inspired the “Strength In Numbers” slogan during this Durant annexation.
That being said, it’s hard to feel too concerned about the Warriors’ loss of depth in the assembling of a potential dynasty. That six-man core was already scary enough before the Dubs were able to land a starting-caliber center on a minimum contract.
People acting like Dubs bench was so incredible. It had moments but inconsistent, limited. Biggest loss? Ezeli. Irreplaceable parts remain
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) July 5, 2016
Now that they’ve landed Pachulia, who averaged 8.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game last season for the Mavericks, the 5-spot has been addressed.
As one of the league’s more underrated defenders who recorded 23 double-doubles last season, the 32-year-old Pachulia brings veteran experience, rebounding and defense to a team that needed all three of those things from whatever replacement center they found.
Zaza is no Bogut, Ezeli could be good if he weren’t so injury-prone, and the Dubs are punting on Barnes’ potential at only 23 years old. But those are the sacrifices necessary to unite the MVPs over the last three years, and a core that sexy is prime for attracting quality role players willing to sacrifice a pay raise — even amidst the biggest spending spree in NBA history — in the pursuit of a title.
You'd think Golden State might miss Bogut's passing, but Zaza's AST%'s in 2013-14 and 2014-15 were better than Bogut's career high.
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) July 5, 2016
Could Marreese Speights or Leandro Barbosa be in play for being re-signed to veteran minimum contracts? It’s possible, although they could hardly be blamed for accepting well-earned pay days elsewhere, especially with the way the Warriors’ season came to such a disappointing end.
But the lure of Durant, Curry and Thompson spreading the floor might be too great for some useful veterans who want to be a part of NBA history. Pachulia represents the stop-gap before head coach Steve Kerr unleashes the most dynamic small-ball lineup in NBA history, and there should be plenty of players willing to join the party.
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