Golden State Warriors: Andrew Bogut returns as an insurance play

With plenty of experience as a Golden State Warrior, Andrew Bogut will likely be of great value as the team hunts for its third straight championship.

When the Golden State Warriors acquired Kevin Durant in the summer of 2016, they were forced to part ways with a number of guys who helped them to the 2015 title as well as the subsequent 73-win campaign in order to free up the necessary cap space.

One of those guys just so happened to be their starting center for the previous four seasons in Andrew Bogut, and while giving him up for a player of KD’s caliber is a move everyone would do every single chance they could get, there was no denying the Aussie’s elite abilities as a screener and rim protector, two traits the Dubs would sorely miss moving forward.

Now, after time spent on a number of different teams including one in his native land of Australia, things have come full circle for Bogut, back in the Bay Area as a member of the Warriors, and while his role will certainly be different given all that’s changed in his absence, the former No. 1 overall pick will still have plenty of opportunities to make a difference in the playoffs.

For as dominant as the Warriors have been since they added Durant, the center position has always appeared to be a revolving door of journeymen veterans to inconsistent to trust for more than spurts at a time.

The overall talent at the other four positions have done a great job at masking that one weakness, but it’s one that’s become more and more apparent with each passing year, culminating in this season where, at least defensively, Golden State has struggled, allowing opponents to shoot 65.0 percent in the restricted area, seventh worst across the entire NBA.

DeMarcus Cousins is extremely talented at the offensive end, but his continued rehabilitation for an Achilles tear suffered last season has made him somewhat of a liability defensively, with opponents offensive rating increasing with Boogie’s presence on the court.

Let’s also not forget that DeMarcus has only suited up in 22 games so far this season. It takes time and reps to develop chemistry out on the court and master the playbook, but as the postseason nears, Steve Kerr doesn’t have much left to give the four-time All-Star before the real games matter.

Kevon Looney is always an option, having provided the Dubs with some bright spots at times with his length and athleticism, but at 22 years of age he doesn’t exactly inspire confidence heading into a big playoff game

Enter the man from down under, who, after playing under Kerr for two seasons, could probably run the offense in his sleep. In his last two seasons in Golden State, Bogut allowed opponents to shoot just 51.8 percent within five feet of the bucket on 12 attempts per game.

One would think that on a team with five All-Stars and two MVPs, the signing of a lumbering 34-year-old center with a career 9.7 points per game average wouldn’t matter all that much, yet there was a reason both the Warriors and their fans were so eager and excited to bring Bogut back this year.

You know what you’re getting out of him as a stout interior presence with the knowledge and chemistry to contribute offensively. Bogut might not finish games, but when it comes time to trot out a traditional big man, he’s as safe an option as Golden State has had since his first go around with the team.