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2017 NBA free agency grades: Warriors agree to bring back Zaza Pachulia

By Brendan Galella

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 24: Zaza Pachulia #27 of the Golden State Warriors makes a lay up against the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 24: Zaza Pachulia #27 of the Golden State Warriors makes a lay up against the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors agreed to re-sign center Zaza Pachulia on a one-year, $3.5 million contract, ensuring the entire starting lineup from the championship team in 2017 will return.

By agreeing to a contract with center Zaza Pachulia for the 2017-18 season, the Golden State Warriors ensured each primary piece to its latest championship will help defend it next year.

Pachulia will return to the team on a one-year, $3.5 million deal according to Sam Amick of USA Today, bypassing more lucrative offers from other teams to pursue another championship.

Clearly, the Warriors are prioritizing continuity within the organization.

Since the start of free agency, Stephen Curry (the first $200 million contract at five years, $201 million), Kevin Durant (two-year, $53 million), Andre Iguodala (three-year, $48 million) and Shaun Livingston (three-year, $24 million) have all been retained.

The addition of Pachulia solidifies the primary core of a team that won 67 regular season games and lost just once during the 2017 NBA Playoffs.

The only remaining player to log at least 1,000 minutes from last year’s title run yet to re-sign with the team is Ian Clark, a 25-year-old guard with just one career start during his four-year career.

With the list of available centers in free agency rapidly dwindling, landing Pachulia became a necessity for the team, even though it needs little contributions from the center position.

All that remains for the Warriors is to round out the remainder of its bench.

Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green has three years remaining on his contract, while Klay Thompson is signed through the 2018-19 season.

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Along with Clark, JaVale McGee is the only other key contributor yet to agree to terms with the Warriors.

Both players are available in free agency and with Pachulia’s low cap figure, all could possibly be retained if Golden State desires.

By taking essentially half of the salary of an average player, Pachulia is granting his team flexibility to strengthen the end of the bench.

During the 2017-18 season, the average salary for a player was $6.8 million.

Flanked by four All-Star caliber players, the contributions from Pachulia were all Golden State needed to get its revenge on Cleveland in the NBA Finals.

Pachulia became a huge factor for the Warriors a round earlier, in the series opener, as he closed out hard on a Kawhi Leonard jump shot, giving him no place to land.

As Leonard released his shot, Pachulia’s moved underneath him. Leonard landed on Pachulia’s foot, spraining his left ankle in the process.

The injury forced Leonard to the bench with 7:55 remaining in the third quarter and the Spurs holding a 76-55 advantage. Without Leonard on the court, Golden State staged an impressive comeback, capturing a 113-111 victory.

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The Warriors eventually swept San Antonio, as Leonard missed each of the next three games with a left ankle injury.

Physicality is exactly what Pachulia brought to Golden State, as he was one of the most effective rebounders on the team, even though he was limited to just 18.1 minutes a night.

Pachulia led the team with 2.0 offensive rebounds per game, ranked third on the team with 5.9 rebounds a night and made an impact in ways unseen by the box score.

The 33-year-old center recovered 53 loose balls last season, a total that surpassed LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Rudy Gobert and DeAndre Jordan. Each of the other four players spent at least 2,500 minutes on the floor a year ago, while Pachulia played only 1,268 minutes.

Even though he was serving a limited role, as the fifth offensive option any time he was on the floor, Pachulia still managed to post 6.1 points on a career-high 53.4 percent shooting from the field.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

The Warriors are bringing back a player well aware of his role within the organization and Pachulia is a perfect fit, as he is willing to sacrifice his body and provide physical play for a relatively low cost.

Grade: A

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