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Golden State Warriors: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason

By Josh Cornelissen

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Andre Iguodala #9, Klay Thompson #11, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. 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 Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Andre Iguodala #9, Klay Thompson #11, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. 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 Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images /

3. Let some of the centers walk

The Golden State Warriors have implemented a specific strategy over the past two seasons. With a number of high-priced stars, Bob Myers and the front office have leveraged their money for guards and wings, and used the bargain barrel for the center position.

That doesn’t mean they have had pushovers at the position. Zaza Pachulia and David West each took pay cuts to join the Warriors, and were rewarded with a pair championships. The Warriors also spent draft picks on bigs in each of the past three seasons, adding Kevon Looney, Damian Jones and Jordan Bell.

Most of their big men will hit free agency this summer, and the Warriors will need to decide how best to proceed. Last year highlighted their relative lack of reserve options at other positions, as injuries to Patrick McCaw and Stephen Curry saw the team scrambling to sign Quinn Cook for the postseason.

For a team best deployed with a non-center in Draymond Green playing the 5, this team does not need to keep six other centers. Jordan Bell and Damian Jones are both under contract for next season. If David West wishes to stay with the team, the Warriors should bring him back, as he has been a solid presence in the locker room and the rotation.

That leaves three free agent centers in Pachulia, Looney and JaVale McGee. Each brings positives and negatives, as none is the complete package. Golden State should bring back just one of the three, and instead use those roster spots on wing players. Looney offers the most upside, but because the Warriors declined the option on his contract, they are limited in what they can offer.

Pachulia can “eat up innings” in the regular season, and has been a steadying voice in the locker room. McGee has helped to keep this team playing with joy, a trademark to their early success but something that seemed to evaporate this past season.

With Bell the center of the future and Green certain to play minutes in the postseason, this is a decision for the regular season. Whoever they decide to keep, the key is hanging onto four centers rather than six.

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