Despite having scoured the free agent market in recent weeks, the Warriors aren’t expected to add a veteran center to their roster before training camp gets underway, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium (Twitter video link).
Dwight Howard met with the Warriors this week and was believed to be receiving legitimate consideration from the team, which has also reportedly taken a look at vets such as Dewayne Dedmon, Derrick Favors, and Tony Bradley. However, Charania says Golden State has decided to put off a frontcourt addition for now and will maintain the flexibility to sign a big man later in camp or during the regular season.
The Warriors are carrying just 13 players on standard contracts and will need to add at least one more to meet the opening-night minimum of 14. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link), the club is prioritizing an extra wing for that 14th slot.
Golden State’s roster is short on traditional centers, but the club has several players it believes can capably handle the position. Besides Kevon Looney and Draymond Green, players like Dario Saric, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Usman Garuba may see time at the five. Jackson-Davis has impressed the team since he was drafted in June, per Slater, who adds that Garuba is viewed by the organization as a player with real upside.
With the Warriors not planning to sign another center in the short term, Howard is expected to consider other options and see if there’s another NBA team interested in bringing him in, says Charania.
It’s kind of shi**y to work out all these guys and put them through interviews telling them and the league you’re going to add a vet big man then change your mind right before camp opens because you want ‘flexibility’. What was the point of this for the team and the players? Really a waste of everyones time.
It is a privilege to work out for an NBA team. These guys are not getting ripped off in any way whatsoever. It’s a learning experience and they get a rundown on their game and what they can work on Etc.
I don’t know of a single industry on the planet where you are guaranteed a job before the interview. And, I don’t know of a single unemployed person who won’t go to an interview unless they’re guaranteed the job. Do you?
They have now worked out so the team has tape and info on them. I expect them to try to add a wing and not find one, then circle back and add a center.
I just dont see many roster worthy wings on the market outside of younger lesser known guys who arent really established NBA players.
My guess is they are waiting to see who shakes loose from OKC and some of the other teams that have to make cuts, and dont want to commit until they know who comes. Im sure if Dwight wanted to take a non guaranteed camp deal that would give GSW “optionality” they would sign him if they liked the workout and interview, but he probably wants something more secure. If they dont find another player they can give him a partial guarantee through like Jan later in camp.
correct, and gsw is giving him the chance to find a team that offers more $ and more PT. And if no other team comes calling Howard, Gsw could likely be involved still
You must be an agent for one of the guys who worked out lol. Besides Dwight it doesn’t make sense for the warriors to sign any of those guys. When they could wait til during or after preseason to sign a guy who was on a roster.
FYI, it’s a fact that Howard approached GSW, asking to try out for them. GSW obliged knowing that the main reason for Howard’s request was to 1. Give GS first crack and 2. showcase his ability for other teams to see. In fact, GSW obliged so Howard could have 1 or 2 happen. This was done for Howard’s benefit. And all the expenses (room and board, meals, travel, etc) were covered by GSW. People are so quick to judge, without having the facts.
Howard is out of the league and should be.
I’m sure they let them know. Calm down bud
Hahaha !! Warriors sure need a big man don’t they.
Let me repeat. Championships are about wings. And what do Wings do? They’re ball handlers, shooters, and good defenders.
Of course I’m playing around but half serious still. The Warriors will find a guy who will slip through the cracks just like Nerlens Noel and the other guy were cut by the Sacramento kings. They’re just waiting for someone better.
Dwight Howard probably seemed like a good fit but might be slowing down a little at his age and not able to play that defense the Warriors would need for the entire half court, which is all the way out to the three-point line and back down under the basket to box out or contest a slasher to the hole. They’ll find a guy.
“They’ll find a guy”
Yeah. Probably.
Priceless.
Tell the joker that.
I knew this was coming. Quick knee-jerk answer without much thought.
Let’s talk about it. How long has The Joker been in the league? How many championships does he have? How big of a role did Aaron Gordon play in this championship? How big of a role did Michael Porter Jr play in this championship? How about KCP’s defense
It’s a given the Joker Is probably the best player in the world right now at least top five no doubt. You can make an argument for any of five guys, or 4 guys. So it’s great he has his one championship. Maybe more to come, that’s if his wings play well lol.
How many championships does Joel embiid have? The other best center on the planet. Name another great Center?
Okay now let’s look at the Miami heat. Their Center is 6-9. They have studs on the wing. Jimmy butler, Caleb Martin from out of nowhere became a stud.
Look at the Celtics. Studs on the wing and a 40-year-old Center and a 6-8 backup Robert Williams the last couple of years. Very successful team.
Thank you! I I get it, joker is a big dude, but his dominance wasn’t only Just in the paint. Also why are we forgetting that literally a year ago the warriors won with kevon “can’t jump over a phone book” looney at center. If joker wins 1 or 2 more rings then maybe it’s time to discuss about adding centers like Dwight to your roster.
Bam is not a center
Do the Myles Turner deal already.
Give good to get good; W’s can’t expect that they can sucker everyone on every trade…
Who is your salary match? You need to match 20M for Turner. The only players on the team that make more than half that are CP/Wigs/Klay/Steph/Dray. You giving up Kuminga, Moody, BP, and at least one more salary for Turner plus maybe picks?
There are a lot of players that have been available that make sense for GSW, but they really dont have good salary matching pieces with nobody above MLE by much but below max’s.
I think the Pacers will try to compete this season and Golden State doesn’t have anyone that helps the Pacers with that goal. The Pacers may need a backup SF if they trade Hield but Kuminga or Moody don’t have the salary to match and Wiggins who would start is only available if the front office feels that Kuminga or Moody are ready to take on a larger role.
There’s got to be two interested parties to complete a trade. Who says the Pacers want to trade Turner? His name always comes up in Pacers rumors yet here he is entering his 9th season with the team.
Would be no questions just crap talking if Golden state was working him out 10 yrs ago… remember they tried this before and he turned them down lol
The Warriors worked out Howard before, and he rejected them? When? So, why did he come back for another workout? Bizzarro!!
Yup, I remember that. 10 years ago he wasn’t ready to be a Defender, shot blocker, and do the dirty work. He wanted to be a star with a distinguished role and get a certain amount of touches. Wasn’t happening with Steph and Klay and others on the team.
Plus he wasn’t quite the player he thought he was, and for the money he thought he was worth. Sure he was good but championship material? Ask Kobe.
But now he’s 37 and ready to do the dirty work. But he’s too slow to get from the three-point line, to the rim, and then out to the corner.