Struggling through their first 26 games of the season, the Golden State Warriors’ 13-13 record may mean it’s time to re-evaluate the flawed roster Bob Myers assembled for the defense of the franchise’s 2022 championship title.
The loss of Otto Porter Jr, Gary Payton II and Juan Toscano-Anderson left a vital part of the Warriors’ championship identity in question. Myers signed JaMychal Green and Donte DiVincenzo to add to the young core and aid in the replacement of Porter and Payton, but it has become clear that those additions simply aren’t enough.
DiVincenzo and Green have replaced some of what the Dubs lost, but his young core has been slow to fill their roles. A rehabbing James Wiseman was sent to Santa Cruz for development, and Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody have each spent time out of the rotation or with limited minutes. Green and DiVincenzo are adjusting their game to meet the Warriors’ needs, and Kerr is still looking for answers. What is missing?
The Golden State Warriors need toughness and intensity both at home and on the road — voids that could be filled by Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt.
Tough in every sense of the word, Vanderbilt brings intensity and energy off the bench. A 6’9″, 215 lbs power-forward, the left-hander could fit into the Warriors system and contribute eight points, eight rebounds, a few assists, and a couple of steals and blocks in around playing 20 minutes per game.
Vanderbilt has the uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time for offensive and defensive rebounds. He is athletically gifted and possesses a high basketball IQ, always making himself available to bail out the driver to the rim with shattering results.
Although he’s yet to develop a game from the outside, the 23 year-old can play the four or five. In Steve Kerr’s system, he might develop into more of the latter. Does he sound familiar? For years to come, Vanderbilt can be the younger, more athletic version of Kevon Looney.
A recent article from Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype states that anyone on the Jazz roster is expendable outside of Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson. That could make Vanderbilt a realistic target, particularly given he makes just $4.3 million this season and $4.6 million in 2023-24.
While Vanderbilt might not be the major difference-maker many think the Warriors need, he could prove someone that can play a vital role in a playoff rotation as Golden State attempts to win back-to-back titles.