Former Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders. (Photo : Getty Images)
Larry Sanders announced this week that he's attempting an NBA comeback after a one-and-half year hiatus. The Golden State Warriors are still putting in the supporting casts for their super team. There has to be a correlation between the two.
Sanders, who left the NBA halfway into the 2014-15 season to pursue a passion in other field, has emerged as another potential free-agent target for the Warriors, according to a league source.
The Warriors already signed big men David West, Sasha Pachulia and Anderson Verajao to beef up the frontline, but none of these players can match the shot blocking ability Andrew Bogut provided the past few seasons.
The former Milwaukee Bucks was one of the premier interior defender before he decided to leave the NBA. Aside from averaging 1.8 swats per game, Sanders effectively used his 7-foot-5 wingspan to alter shots.
According to a Sloan Sports Analytics research, Sanders' interior presence limited opponents to 38 percent of their shot attempts in the shaded lane - which sounds to be the kind of rim protection the Warriors are searching for right now.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reported that Sanders has been working out the past few weeks, trying to be in shape for potential call-ups from NBA teams. The 27-year old big man is open to signing a minimum league offer for another shot at the NBA.
"Larry is not looking for crazy money, in fact I think he'd play for the minimum, so everyone is possible," according to Kyler.
Last year, several teams inquired about Sanders availability, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks. Among the three teams, the Mavs were the hardest suitor to the extent of promising a starting role should he makes a comeback.
Mavericks appear no longer an option for Sanders since they already acquired Bogut in a trade with the Warriors this offseason, leaving Golden State as a potential destination for the shot-blocker.
Tune in for more updates on Larry Sanders free-agency @ Yibada Sports
