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The Golden State Warriors have interest in signing free agent center Marc Gasol, according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Another Western Conference team showing interest in signing Marc Gasol, sources tell ESPN: Golden State. https://t.co/L2uGswJn82
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 22, 2020
Gasol would add tremendous talent, toughness, and experience to a Warriors team that is currently lacking in depth. While playing for the Toronto Raptors last year, Gasol averaged 7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, while shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc. The year before, he was a key contributor on a Raptors team that beat the Warriors to win the NBA Finals.
While he’s no longer the star talent that made the All-Star team three times and won the Defensive Player of the Year earlier in his career, he’s still a wildly skilled player. He’s an elite interior defender, an efficient post scorer, a stretch five with a silky and reliable jumper, and every bit the weapon that Andrew Bogut was when passing from the elbow.
The Warriors center position is currently an odd one. They have four players under contract, but all of them have question marks. Kevon Looney has had a hard time staying healthy; James Wiseman is a rookie; Marquese Chriss is still an unproven entity; and Alen Smailagić is likely still a few years away. And that’s before we mention that their best center is starting power forward Draymond Green.
So while Gasol’s presence would be a huge addition in terms of proven talent, it would flood the position a bit, and the Dubs might have to consider waiving Chriss or trading Smailagić or Looney.
If the Warriors do sign Gasol, it would likely be with all or part of the disabled player exception, which allows Golden State to spend up to $9.3 million on a player as a result of Klay Thompson’s season-ending injury. The Warriors haven’t been granted the exception yet, so they can’t technically sign Gasol using it, but they can agree to terms and make the signing official when the exception is awarded.
Another team in the running for Gasol’s services is the Los Angeles Lakers, so signing the veteran would serve a dual purpose for Golden State.