Golden State Warriors: 2016 Offseason Grades
Poaching Pachulia
With a core of Curry, Thompson, KD, Green, Iguodala and 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.
On a one-year, $2.9 million agreement, the Warriors addressed the starting 5-spot with Pachulia, who averaged 8.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game last season for the Mavericks.
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, but he’s an adequate fill-in. Plus, a core as sexy as Golden State’s was 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
Even with Bogut, Barnes, Ezeli, Barbosa and Speights gone, the lure of Durant, Curry and Thompson spreading the floor was too great for some useful veterans — including Pachulia — who wanted to be a part of NBA history.
Zaza represents the stop-gap at center before head coach Steve Kerr unleashes the most dynamic small-ball lineup in NBA history, and that’s all he really needs to be — especially on that steal of a contract.
Grade: A
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