Warriors knew they needed frontcourt help and did nothing to fix it

The Golden State Warriors have had arguably their two most consequential losses of the season over the past four days, and it’s been partially on the back of a depleted frontcourt and an absence of rebounding.

It’s clear to see, and even Steve Kerr knows the team has a problem with rebounding.

The Golden State Warriors have struggled lately with issues they knew about yet did nothing to fix at the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline.

The Golden State Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves by 12 on Thursday night. They allowed them to score over 120 points. It was a pathetic showing from Golden State on the defensive glass.

Snagging just four offensive rebounds of their own, the Dubs allowed the Wolves to haul down 16 offensive rebounds. The Wolves had nine more field goals and three more turnovers, a combination not ideal for the Dubs.

Kerr knows the problem exists.

"“This is the modern NBA; guys don’t box out. It’s just the way it is. Every night on League Pass, I see the same thing. Players let guys come in from the weak side, and they think, ‘I’ll just get the rebound.’ It’s a disease that’s rampant in the NBA. The problem is, if you’re a real small team like us, then it’s going to hurt you more than it will hurt other teams,” Kerr said via ESPN."

While boxing out is a problem, the Warriors also have a major issue in their frontcourt.

The length just isn’t there. Traditionally a power forward, Kevon Looney is just 6-foot-9, and Draymond Green stands just 6-foot-6. Those two along with Andrew Wiggins in their frontcourt doesn’t give much height.

Green’s been a rebounder in his career but expecting him to do it at an ultra-high level may not happen. Along those lines, James Wiseman is out for the season and Marquese Chriss, who was traded at the deadline, would’ve also been out for the season.

This frontcourt need was something the Warriors should’ve had on their mind as their big men almost completely missed the month of February. They didn’t do anything about it at the deadline, and they’re feeling the ramifications of not making a move now.

The Warriors should’ve known that rebounding was going to be an issue when they only play Looney half the game. There are issues in their frontcourt. Rebounding is one of them, and they needed to make a move before it was too late.