Filling the Warriors’ biggest void rests on the giant shoulders of James Wiseman

Small-ball is key if health permits for the Golden State Warriors

Ultimately, it’s likely that Wiseman or any center that the Warriors might’ve traded for – wouldn’t play a single minute in the fourth quarter of a playoff game. With Green and Looney fully healthy, the Dubs have enough at center to win the title.

The Warriors won three championships by playing small with Green at the five – and running the opposition out of the gym.

The conversation around adding more size to the roster is and has always been, about preserving the health of Draymond Green.

Investing in an additional big is health insurance for Green and Looney who have both dealt with injury in recent years. They just need a player capable of filling the gaps that centers Andrew Bogut and Zaza Pachulia, used to plug in the past.

Green, set to be re-evaluated after the All-Star break has been out since January 9th with a lower back injury.

An injury perhaps brought on by the wear and tear of heavy minutes at the center position through the first half of this season, while Looney, at only 26 years of age, has already had multiple hip surgeries in his career.

So far, Looney has suited up in every game this season – though with his torrid injury history, you’re constantly holding your breath in hope that his body doesn’t break down. If both Looney and Green were to miss an extended period of time, where would that leave the Warriors frontcourt?

The only other recognized center on the roster is off-season recruit Nemanja Bjelica. However, Bjelica is a stretch big that offers spacing rather than any real rim protection. Let’s just say he wasn’t signed for his defensive prowess.

As presently constructed, the Warriors have all their insurance eggs in the James Wiseman basket. For a team with aspirations for a title – the Warriors have heaped a mountain of pressure on the broad shoulders of their 20-year-old big man.