4. Cole Aldrich
Mar 13, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) and Sacramento Kings center Cole Aldrich (45) fight for position under the basket during the second quarter at Power Balance Pavilion. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Chicago Bulls 121-79. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
I know Aldrich has been been unimpressive, but hear me out.
In a nutshell, Aldrich is a lot like Stiemsma without the option to worry about. He averaged a meager 3.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 15 games with the Sacramento Kings this past season. He also did that in 11.7 minutes per game, next to nothing. He’s young too, and solidly built at 6’11, 240 pinds. He has potential in a bigger role, and he’s absolutely not ready yet for a starter spot. If the Warriors were to pick him up, there’s a possibility that he would actually split time with Biedrins behind Bogut.
The danger there is that if Aldrich doesn’t pull away in skill and adjusts to an increasing role as Bogut’s backup, it spells disaster for the Dubs since that would put them right back where they started: with Biedrins at second center with a failed experiment behind him.
If Bogut goes down under those conditions, then this signing will have just been a massive waste of time and money. If he were to flourish, though, the Warriors could end up with a great value backup center.