New York Takes A Bite Out of Its Own Apple
When the Warriors added center Zaza Pachulia this offseason, it sent a message to the the rest of the league: We’re coming for you, (and looking at you Cleveland).
Then the Warriors added some guy named Kevin Durant, and other ring-chasers, er, I mean, and a ring-chaser, er, um…. veteran forward David West and…..
Okay, I’m done.
When the Warriors added Kevin Durant this summer it came at the expense of a dependable rebounder, defender, passer, perfect fit for Golden State’s system in every way in center Andrew Bogut; and versatile defender (and, as he’s showing in Dallas, on the offensive side of the ball) in Harrison Barnes.
The Warriors entered the season with a predicted starting lineup of Curry-Thompson-KD-Green-Pachulia and a bench of Livingston-Clark-Iggy-West-McGee (if he made it out training camp).
Many questioned if the Warriors would be troubled by their lack of rebounding help on their roster/inexperience with backup forwards/centers in James Michael McAdoo, Damian Jones, and Kevon Looney.
Now? The Warriors raise your doubts about them with a 44-8 record and a top-5 team rebounding average (45.1 TRPG a game).
While the Warriors are in great shape for a deep postseason run and another potential Larry O’Brien trophy hoisting, they could look to add some rebounding help/bench depth in……
The Knicks need locker room help most of all, and they can easily add it in Zaza Pachulia. Worse comes to worst, they move on after this season ends. He’s on the veteran minimum, and could be a steadying presence in the mess that is New York basketball right now.
Now, why make Golden State better?
The next available pick they have to offer is a 2019 second rounder from Dallas, and New York probably isn’t inclined to offer up any of the pick they have the rights to; so the terms may have to be a little more complex than a straight up player for player swap, but I think it is plausible.
As already mentioned, Golden State is a top-5 rebounding team, at least statistically speaking. While players like McAdoo and McGee have been surprisingly solid this season, they could look to add a guy that could be averaging 13.3 TRB per-36.
O’Quinn can hit a jumpshot pretty consistently and help spread the floor like Steve Kerr likes to, and doesn’t need the ball in his hands that often. I’m sure he’d be content with winning a title and playing with KD and Steph, and playing whatever role Golden State would have for him.