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Five non-Durant free agents the Warriors should try to sign

By Carlos Murillo

Dec 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Nicolas Batum (5) looks to pass the ball as he is defended by Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Warriors win 116-99. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Nicolas Batum (5) looks to pass the ball as he is defended by Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Warriors win 116-99. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pau Gasol

Warriors
Apr 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) backs down Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

The Warriors should try to sign big man Pau Gasol who is still effective even at the end of his career.

Pau Gasol, at 35, is still a very effective player.

He’s been one of the best big men in the league for well over a decade. He was the cornerstone for some really good Memphis Grizzlies team and was a savior in Los Angeles, helping Kobe Bryant win two more championships as a Laker.

After a few poor (by his standards) injury-riddled seasons, he left for Chicago to join what was supposed to be a title contending Bulls team. It seemed like his career was coming to an end, but he found his second wind in the windy city.

Gasol is coming off a season in which he averaged 16.5 points and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes per game. He shot nearly 47 percent from the field and hit 24 three-pointers, a number that could go up with some wide open corner looks created by the Warriors’ playmakers. Even at this stage in his career, he’s been an All-Star at the last two years.

At 35 years old, Pau Gasol is still seven feet tall and the Warriors need his size. Golden State is looking to add a big man that can score the basketball, an option they haven’t had with Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli. They might let Ezeli walk in free agency and the aging Bogut’s future also hangs in the balance as they could use him in a trade.

Gasol is in the last leg of his career, but he still has really good basketball in him. He played 72 games last year. He can defend the rim and provide a low-post scoring threat. He’s also looking for a third ring to cap off what has already been a Hall of Fame career.

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