13 Players the Golden State Warriors signed past their prime

9. Jerome Kersey

Kersey was a second-round draft pick in 1984 that became a Trail Blazers legend. The 6’7 forward joined in year three of 21 straight making the playoffs, but he helped push Portland to new heights. Kersey was the second-leading scorer in the postseason as the Blazers reached the NBA Finals in 1990. He again played a key role when they returned in 1992, but Portland lost both times.

Kersey’s playing time declined as he entered his 30s, and he only averaged 18.1 minutes each night in his last season with the Trail Blazers. They left him unprotected in the 1995 expansion draft, but the Raptors cut Kersey during training camp. Golden State swooped in and signed the 11-year veteran.

Don Nelson was gone, and the Dubs were coming off a 26-win season when they landed the 33-year-old. Kersey averaged 6.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 21.3 minutes per game, but he was waived following the season. The Warriors made a 10-win improvement, but they still missed the playoffs.

Jerome Kersey played five more years in the NBA, including winning a championship with the Spurs in 1999, but he was well past his prime. The 6’7 forward was a two-way force during his days in Portland, and the Blazers legend sadly passed away suddenly in 2015 at 52 years old.