Denver Nuggets' JaVale McGee (Photo : REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL))
The Golden State Warriors will set the high standard for the 2016-17 season but they need one more player.
With four of the top 12 players in the league today, the team is a powerhouse. But the roster is definitely unbalanced and the drop-off of talent from the top 6 to the rest of the roster is rather steep.
From the current roster, it's easy to see how the point guard to small forward positions are covered by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala. The power forward spot will be manned by Draymond Green, KD in small ball lineups and holdovers James Michael McAdoo, Kevon Looney (probably a three also) and new addition David West.
It's clear that the center position is where they are lacking. New acquisition Zaza Pachulia will start and the reserves could be the returning Anderson Varejao and incoming rookie Damion Jones.
It's clear that center is the position that needs help, as Jeff Cheal of SB Nation blog Golden State of Mind pointed out.
"The Center position has been locked in for the Warriors for a few years now, but was the first to go with the addition of Kevin Durant's salary," Cheal said. "Sure, Draymond can step in, but the team will need Zaza to put up big minutes, and hope his durability (76 games in 2016) holds up. That is sure better than Bogut's 70 games in 2016, but after Zaza the depth gets really small really quick."
They have to pin their hopes on a rookie, Damion Jones and that might be too much to ask. The Warriors have one 14 players (including Varejao who's injured) but they have to sign one more.
One of the names floated in the article is David Lee. Lee is a natural power forward but can play center in small ball settings. However, he hasn't played for quite a while. Still, he is a possibility-possibly a final option.
A name out of left field as suggested in the Warriors Subreddit is Javale McGee. While many would dismiss the Shaqtin' a Fool staple, it should be noted that the Warriors expressed real interest in McGee a year ago as Hoops Habit chronicled.
McGee has length and athleticism and the belief is that if there is a team capable of reining in the goofy center, it's Steve Kerr and the Warriors. If he is limited to 5-10 minutes a night just to protect the rim, it's probably not a huge gamble. McGee, for all his faults, is not a locker room cancer.
Apparently, Andre Iguodala is not against signing his former teammate but perhaps he'll fall short of endorsing him.
There is also a possibility that the Warriors are holding out for someone from training camp to impress them. Nevertheless, Lee or McGee could be real options.
