Golden State Warriors: Worst Free-Agent Signings Since 2002
By Jack Hoang
Mar 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andris Biedrins (15) defends against Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer (5) during the second half at Oracle Arena. Chicago won 113.95. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
The Golden State Warriors have no draft picks in this year’s draft. The Warriors will be in the free agency frenzy in search for players to fill vacant positions if Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry decide to leave.
In the past decade, the Warriors have made some great free-agent signings, such as Speedy Claxton, Corey Maggette and Carl Landry. However, there were other free-agent signings that were questionable. In the spirit of the free-agent signing period approaching, we take a look and reminisce on the Warriors’ worse signings since 2002.
Calbert Cheaney: 2003-06
A 10-year veteran in 2003, Cheaney was heading into the latter part of his prime. Inking a three-year contract with the Warriors, Cheaney started just 12 games and averaged 4.8 points per game. At one point in his career, he averaged a career-high in points with 16.6 points per game. Unfortunately, he was unable to reproduce those numbers for the Warriors. Cheaney left the league after his contract expired with the Warriors.
DJ Mbenga: 2007-08
As usual, the Warriors were looking for a big body to fill the void at center. Offering Mbenga a chance, he was unable to do much to convince the club to keep him. Sought to be a defensive stopper, he averaged just 0.6 blocks per game and 1.9 rebounds per game. Mbenga played just 16 games before being waved half way through the season.
Apr 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Ronny Turiaf (21) blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) in the second half of game 5 of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center. Grizzlies won 103-93. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Ronny Turiaf: 2008-10
As a part of the 2007-08 Los Angeles Lakers who made the NBA finals, Turiaf was sought to have a breakout career with the Warriors. His playoff experience was much needed for a young Golden State team. Signing a four-year contract, Turiaf provided subpar numbers for a player signed for $4 million a year. Averaging 5.4 points per game and 21.2 minutes per game, Turiaf was eventually traded away to the New York Knicks for David Lee along with a couple other pieces.
Andris Biedrins: 2008-Present
Re-signing Biedrins was a great decision at the time. Coming off a season where he averaged 10.5 points per game shooting at 62.6 percent from the field, Biedrins seemed he was well worth the $9 million annually. In his 2008-09 campaign, he displayed his promising talent by averaging a double-double (11.9 points per game and 11.2 rebounds per game). After that year, he showed a decline in every category. He is currently the 12th man of the team, and his contract is consuming a lot of much needed cap space.
Al Thornton: 2010
Formerly a lottery pick in the 2007 draft, Thornton was a decent player the beginning of his career. Averaging 13.4 points per game with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Warriors saw potential in the kid when they saw him in free agency. Ending his career as a Golden State Warrior, Thornton averaged just six points per game and 14.3 minutes per game.