Warriors: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson could be answer as Wiggins’ backup

The Golden State Warriors could use some additional depth at the wing position. Here is why Rondae-Hollis Jefferson fits this mold perfectly.

After witnessing the departures of Andre Iguodala and Kevin Durant last offseason, the Golden State Warriors were left with a very young and very inexperienced wing department behind Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson could fix that problem.

In all likelihood, the Warriors will target a wing in free agency or via trade using their $17m trade exception. Adding an experienced wing option, who is particularly effective on the defensive end would bolster the second unit with the Pacific division alone containing premier bench threats such as Lou Williams and Buddy Hield as two examples. Adding a strong defensive wing will be vital to the Warriors returning to contention.

The Warriors certainly seem ready to address that position. Per Anthony Slater of the Athletic reports the Dubs are planning to use part of their mid-level exception on a wing in October (the delayed start to free agency).

Teams are planning for a reduced salary cap next season amid the coronavirus pandemic, yet strangely that could help the Warriors. This is due to teams having less money to spend in free agency, and it could free up the Dubs to spend something which Joe Lacob isn’t worried about doing.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson would be someone who fits the bill for the Warriors.

Hollis-Jefferson, who has averaged 7.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2 assists off the bench this season for the Raptors has gone under the radar with Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet stealing in the headlines in the North. However, the former Brooklyn Net has made an underrated contribution to Toronto’s title defense this season.

Although the former Brooklyn Net isn’t a lockdown shooter he has been impactful on both ends of the floor this season. However, it is his value on the defensive end which would be the biggest asset to the Warriors.

The former Arizona Wildcat stands at 6”6 and is an ideal size for guarding players and is regarded by many as a poor man’s Iguodala. Whether that is inside the paint, on the perimeter, or in the midrange Hollis-Jefferson is certainly dependable on the defensive end. Any player who is a good on and off-ball defender and is a capable playmaker would definitely fit in the Warriors system that relies on passing and movement.

Another incentive for the Warriors to target Hollis-Jefferson is that the five-year man would likely be available for a minimum contract, or part of the mid-level exception at worst. With the likes of Steph Curry, Wiggins, Thompson and Draymond Green all on max contracts, minimum deal bargains will be ideal.

Lastly, Hollis-Jefferson would seemingly fit the timeline for the Warriors’ youthful movement. At just 25 years old the young wing would join a Warriors squad that was the 3rd youngest in the NBA this season.

In conclusion, although Hollis-Jefferson would never make an impact as sizeable as Curry, it is going to be the unnoticeable impacts that’ll be equally responsible for taking the Warriors back to the throne, and Hollis-Jefferson could certainly do that.