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Marc Gasol could be on the Golden State Warriors radar

By Nathan Beighle

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 02: Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors takes the court for a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on November 02, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 02: Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors takes the court for a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on November 02, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have two centers on their current roster. One may also count free-agent addition Nemanja Bjelica, the former Euroleague MVP. Bjelica was added because of his elite sharpshooting.

Bjeliica, Otto Porter Jr., and Andre Iguodala have been the team’s three offseason signings. They also added Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Their main needs are another center and a backup point guard.

The Golden State Warriors have three playable centers, but Marc Gasol, a free agent to keep an eye, may be the preferred late-game option.

Aside from Bjelica, Golden State has Kevon Looney and James Wiseman. Neither of those two may be ideal late-game options for head coach Steve Kerr, which is where Marc Gasol could come in handy.

While he’s certainly not the defender he once was, Gasol has improved as a three-point shooter which is helpful for a team that values spacing as much as Golden State. Gasol played in the bubble with the Toronto Raptors and then spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“After the Grizzlies waived Gasol, reports indicated he’d go play for Girona, the team he owns in Spain. Gasol wants to be closer to family since he is from Spain, and his brother, Pau, also plays in Spain for FC Barcelona,” Sanjesh Singh wrote for Yahoo! Sports.

However, per reports from The Athletic’s Anthony Slater (subscription required), the Warriors could be in the mix if the veteran center opts to play in the NBA. For now, it doesn’t seem like he’s entertaining the idea of playing the NBA and is content.

Gasol could also be a name to watch as the season progresses. For Golden State, it would make almost too much sense to add Gasol. His defense prowess, despite his age, is still there, averaging 1.1 blocks per game in just over 19 minutes per game with the Lakers.

Gasol averaged just five points per game, shooting 45 percent from the field. He did hit 41 percent of his three-point attempts. Along with that, Gasol brings a championship presence. He was also a Defensive Player of the Year earlier in his career.

He isn’t the player he once was. Gasol is now 36 years old and will turn 37 during the upcoming season. Whether he wants to call it a career and just play in Spain or try for one more title isn’t fully known, but the Warriors are a team that could certainly use his shooting.

Right now, it’s either Bjelica or small-ball options if the team wishes to have five shooters on the court. With Gasol, they could keep the size and rim protection while also maintaining shooting. It would be a huge addition if he’s open to returning to the States.

Next. Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history. dark

I wouldn’t hold my breath on it though.

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