The Golden State Warriors re-signed Kristaps Porzingis to a two-year, $40 million extension prior to free agency, presumably solidifying the former All-Star as the starting center entering opening against the Los Angeles Lakers next month.
However, the prospect of Porzingis actually coming off the bench is a move that may at least be considered, even if it’s one that very few if any see coming and one that should be regarded as extremely unlikely as Steve Kerr and the Warriors search for offense without injured six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler.
Warriors could consider bringing Kristaps Porzingis off the bench
Porzingis is certainly the strong favorite to line up as the starting center on opening night, but Warriors insider Danny Emerman of The San Fransisco Standard has floated the idea that Kerr could start small with a lineup of Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green.
"The Warriors could run their second unit through Porzingis, with Williams and Melton as the primary ballhandlers. A simple halfcourt offense via Porzingis mid-post touches could be a safe, low-turnover approach to the non-Curry minutes," Emerman wrote.
Golden State began with a similarly small lineup against the Lakers on opening night last season, with Butler and Jonathan Kuminga at the forward spots instead of Santos and Lendeborg. It worked effectively as the Warriors secured a surprise 119-109 victory on the road.
Porzingis wasn’t a member of the team at that point though, and Golden State also had Butler’s services to complement Curry as the second offensive option. As much as the idea of running the second unit through Porzingis might have some merit, it could leave too much of a burden on Curry in the starting lineup as the Warriors look to respond from ranking 19th offensively last season.
Warriors need Kristaps Porzingis’ offense in the starting lineup
As much there remains a question mark on Porzingis’ health, there’s no doubting his productivity when he’s on the floor. The Latvian big man averaged over 16 points in less than 24 minutes in his 15 games at the end of last season, and that should only elevate as he builds greater chemistry with his teammates and improves fairly underwhelming shooting efficiency.
Emerman’s right that the Warriors would be more versatile defensively with Green at the five, but that would equally burden the 36-year-old, and a healthy Porzingis should at least add something from a rim protecting and shot-blocking standpoint.
You could certainly see Porzingis on the bench at the close of halves, games or more generally in big moments, but seeing him start games on the sidelines is hard to envisage so long as he’s healthy and available.
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