© Cary Edmondson | 2020 Feb 8
Due to their, and the league’s, cap situation, the Warriors are very unlikely to be able to bring aboard many significant players this offseason without a serious roster shakeup. As was the case during the Kevin Durant era, Bob Myers will have to fill out the roster through the draft and by getting cheap value deals.
Regarding the latter, one of those may be a player whose stock has risen thanks to him performances in the bubble. Dwight Howard proved that he was far from washed up as the Lakers’ primary center during their recent championship run.
The future hall of famer is now set to hit free agency, and the Warriors are interested in bringing him aboard according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Warriors are interested in signing Dwight Howard, sources tell our @ShamsCharania.
👀: https://t.co/TVUHaEZr91 pic.twitter.com/AQnQDral0W
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) October 15, 2020
Howard, 34, started seven of the Lakers’ 18 postseason games in the bubble, averaging more than 5 points, 4 rebounds in just over 15 minutes per game. Howard looked to be on his way out of the league when he was relegated to nine games with the Wizards before undergoing spinal surgery in 2018-19. Howard bounced back this season, featuring in 69 regular season games for the Lakers while averaging over 7 points and 7 rebounds.
Considering the Warriors’ center situation, interest in the likes of Howard shouldn’t come as a surprise. Marquese Chriss is pegged as the starter heading into next season until Kevon Looney can show he is healthy. Beyond that is 20-year-old Alen Smailagic, who while skilled, showed last year he is far too raw to contribute at the NBA level.
Certainly Draymond Green will get heavy minutes at the center position, but Golden State could use at least one more body to ensure Green is not overused at what can be a taxing spot during the regular season. Depending on what the Wolves do with the No. 1 pick, the Warriors could select center James Wiseman at No. 2 overall in the upcoming NBA Draft.
