Golden State Warriors: 5 potential free agency targets in 2018

4. Amir Johnson and the veteran minimum big man market

Noel, Holmes or Vonleh would be nice gets, but not sufficient as an offseason’s worth of frontcourt additions. Jordan Bell and Damian Jones are the only centers under contract for next season, and neither has the track record or medical history to assuredly be the team’s 1-2 punch at the position.

Re-signing Looney would be fantastic, but he will seek more than the minimum. Pachulia’s lack of postseason playing time says he’s probably out the door. West and McGee are more likely to return, but the Warriors could upgrade on at least one of them.

Amir Johnson would fit the bill. He’s not a McGee-level finisher or a West-level jumpshooter, but he’s a viable mix of the two. More importantly, he’s six years younger than West and countless basketball I.Q. points brighter than McGee. He should be able to stay on the court both physically and mentally as the Warriors pursue a third straight title.

Aron Baynes is another terrific option. He would replace Pachulia’s muscle, boxing out and setting screens while the four superstars rain 3s, pressure the ball and grab boards. While Zaza’s lack of offense and mobility took him off the court this past spring, Baynes has enough in both areas to remain playable situationally. The problem is that he’s more likely than Johnson to seek a payday. He’s made just $16 million in his career (compared to $66 mil for Johnson), and is a better player at this point.

There are plenty of other options. Salah Mejri‘s rim protection would be a nice get, as would Greg Monroe‘s rebounding and post passing or Trevor Booker‘s hustle. All would be more situational than Baynes or even Johnson, but would still be quality replacements for whichever veteran centers do not return.