Warriors’ five best moves this offseason
By Connor Green
3. Acquiring Zaza Pachulia
After losing Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli, and Mareese Speights (all big men) the Warriors needed to plug the hole that they left behind. To do this the Warriors acquired former Dallas Maverick Zaza Pachulia.
One of the more underrated moves this offseason (in my opinion), this move helped fill the gap that the three aforementioned players left. Pachulia averaged an impressive 9.4 rebounds per game last season with the Mavs and will help the Warriors protect the paint this upcoming season. Pachulia’s signing may have not been as “flashy” as the Durant signing, but this was an important pickup nonetheless for Golden State, who needed a center.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the acquisition was that Pachulia will cost under 3 million dollars next season, this contract is very favorable for the Warriors who needed an inexpensive player after signing Kevin Durant for over 25 million next year.
Pachulia isn’t Bogut. He’s not going to be the team’s defensive anchor, but, at his size, he can still patrol the pain effectively with other great defenders around him. He’s in a perfect situation for him to exceed expectations in a limited role as Golden State’s starting center.
Next: Only one option at backup PG