In their search for help at center, the Bucks have talked to the Warriors about JaVale McGee and Zaza Pachulia, reports Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic.
Rookie Jordan Bell has moved ahead of McGee in Golden State’s center rotation and now is considered a co-starter along with Pachulia depending on the matchup. McGee hasn’t been pleased with his playing time or the fact that he was only offered a minimum contract last offseason and wasn’t promised a starting job. Thompson said he hasn’t been a problem off the court, but the Warriors are willing to move him if they can get value in return.
Pachulia would be tougher to part with, as coach Steve Kerr considers him the team’s best defensive big man. Thompson believes the Bucks also asked about Bell, but were probably turned down right away.
The teams seem like natural trading partners with the Warriors having five centers on their roster and Milwaukee needing frontcourt help after parting with Greg Monroe in the Eric Bledsoe deal. Golden State has been moving toward smaller lineups with Draymond Green and Kevin Durant seeing time in the middle, so McGee is reduced to playing in garbage time. The 29-year-old is averaging a career-low 8.1 minutes through 29 games.
The Warriors will probably seek guard help in any deal, Thompson adds, as Stephen Curry‘s injury has exposed a lack of depth at point guard and a need for another outside shooter. The team will eventually need to open a roster spot for Quinn Cook, who is on a two-way contract and is expected to surpass his 45-day NBA limit.
Jason Terry and a 2nd for McGee?
Win-win
It seems odd not to note that it would be Pachulia’s third stint with the Bucks.
Amir Johnson and 2nd so McGee could back up Embiid.
They have Trevor Booker and Richaun Holmes
Please tell me Jon Horst isn’t this stupid.
Please go another direction
I retract my comment. After seeing the game vs the Bulls last night. Please sign anyone who can rebound.
I really hope that the Warriors trade Zaza because he is worthless and Javale is a great guy to have on the team
I also think Zaza needs to go over McGee. I’d like to see McGee/Bell tandem at the 5 with Draymond there in the small lineup.
Pachulia is less agile, can’t jump as high, makes stupid through the leg passes and at the rate gets called for moving screens, he must lead the league.