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Golden State Warriors: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (left), Kevin Durant (center), and general manager Bob Myers (right) pose for a photo during a press conference after Durant signed with the Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (left), Kevin Durant (center), and general manager Bob Myers (right) pose for a photo during a press conference after Durant signed with the Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
January 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks center JaVale McGee (11) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Odds And Ends

Pachulia and West were as far as the Warriors got in convincing free agents to take major discounts to join in their quest for a ring, but they managed to fill the edges of the roster with decent talent nevertheless.

Not only did the Warriors re-sign James Michael McAdoo, Ian Clark and Anderson Varejao for depth, but they also managed to sign “veteran” guard Elliott Williams and give JaVale McGee a chance at redemption with a make-good training camp contract.

McAdoo averaged a meager 2.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.4 minutes per game last season, but those low numbers were obviously the byproduct of playing for a team with title aspirations. He still has plenty of promise as a 23-year-old.

The same could be said of the 25-year-old Clark, who averaged 3.6 points and 1.0 assists in 8.8 minutes per game. He’ll provide insurance in the backcourt behind Curry and Livingston, and like McAdoo, was signed for to a one-year minimum contract.

The Dubs also re-signed Varejao to a one-year minimum deal, and though the Andy V jokes are still going strong (especially after losing the title), he actually was fairly useful as a third string big, providing offensive rebounds in a few pivotal playoff stretches when Bogut was resting and Ezeli became unplayable.

Then there’s McGee, who will have to prove himself at training camp to earn a roster spot. On a team this good, however, McGee has his best chance at getting his career back on track, even after averaging a meager 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Mavs last year.

If McGee can just cut down on his trademark dumb plays, provide rim protection and finish lobs near the basket, he’ll provide the Dubs with some frontcourt depth at the center spot. If there were ever a time for this seven-footer to step up and prove his worth, it’s now.

Finally there’s Williams, a 2010 first round pick who has spent the last six years playing for the Blazers, Sixers, Sixers’ D-League affiliate, Warriors’ D-League affiliate, Jazz, Pelicans, Grizzlies and Greek club Panathinaikos, holds NBA career averages of 4.9 points and 1.5 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game.

This is kind of a shot-in-the-dark addition, but Williams was once a D-League MVP and averaged 28.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game when he played for the Santa Cruz Warriors. A 6’5″ shooting guard on a minimum, partially guaranteed deal isn’t a bad thing to have for depth purposes.

Grade: B-

Next: Overall

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