The Warriors could have an Andrew Bogut problem again
The Golden State Warriors didn’t make any moves during the trade deadline, but Andrew Bogut could become a problem for them once again.
There was a lot of collateral damage after Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors during the summer. One of the players caught in the crossfire was Andrew Bogut. He’s on the move once again.
Bogut, who signed with the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, along with a pick have been traded the the Philadelphia 76ers. In exchange, the Sixers are sending Nerlens Noel to the Mavs. It doesn’t look like Bogut is done moving yet.
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He’ll most likely be bought out by the Sixers. They don’t really have a need for him and he doesn’t want to be there. That’s where things get interesting.
Bogut would be looking to go to a title contender. Because it’s been less than a year since the trade, he cannot return to the Warriors (though, if the option was presented, he probably wouldn’t anyways). But he has other suitors.
He’s been closely linked to Cleveland and it makes sense for several reasons. The Cavaliers are looking for rim protection. It would also give Bogut, who is not above pettiness, a chance to get back at Golden State. Throw in the political climate in Northeast Ohio and Bogut’s got himself a dream situation.
The San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets could also both be in on Bogut as well. Both teams are looking to find any advantage to topple Golden State. Rim protection and solid screen-setting is always needed, especially for a team that wants to contend.
Durant’s decision made it easier to part ways with Bogut, but it probably would have happened anyways. He was mostly unavailable at the most important times during his Warriors tenure. The injuries and offensive ineptitude became too much to overlook.
While Bogut still has tools that can help make any team better, it would be interesting to see how it plays out in a deep postseason run. He’s struggled to stay on the floor, both because of injury and matchups. If he were to sign with a team that faces Golden State, going small would essentially neutralize him–it’s what Cleveland had done in the Finals.
You never know what Bogut you’re going to get. Will it be the one who finishes lobs and blocks shots? Or the one who gets beat with speed and is afraid to take layups?
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Bogut is extremely flawed, especially at this point in his career. But some team will pick him up in an effort to beat Golden State. After years of Bogut’s inconsistency, the Warriors thought they were free of the problems he presented.
Once he inks a new deal with another contender, he’ll become Golden State’s problem once again.