Due to a string on injuries, the Warriors find themselves without a true center as they prepare to face the Mavericks and Spurs, each in a two-game series. In fact, forward Andrew Wiggins, at 6-foot-7, could be Golden State’s tallest player on the trip. And the issue could linger longer than expected.
It’s possible the Warriors will have to acquire a new center, which would force them to cut a player from their current roster, which already chock-full.
Starting center Kevon Looney sprained his ankle in the Warriors’ loss to the Celtics on Tuesday, just a day after Golden State announced rookie C James Wiseman will be re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days with a sprained wrist. Also, Marquese Chriss, another option, is already out for the year.
Kerr initially said Looney’s ankle would keep him out for a couple of games, but then came this bombshell from Golden State.
Two weeks. That’s much longer than a couple games. Before this news, signing a new player was a long-shot because acquisitions have to test negative for Covid-19 for six consecutive days before joining the team.
But now, Golden State has a though decision on its hands. There are some options on the open market, or they could stand pat and play small-ball. Mychal Mulder has the only non-guaranteed contract on the team, so he could be a candidate to be cut if the Warriors acquired a player.
In the name of optimism, however, here’s one tidbit of information from The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, regarding the Warriors’ chances on the defensive glass in this next four-game stretch. A lack of rebounding has been an enormous problem all season and hurt Golden State mightily in the Celtics loss.
The Celtics are the sixth-best offensive rebounding team in basketball. It’s a strength. The Mavericks are the third worst, the Spurs are the sixth worst.
The Athletic
That’s good news. But Looney is out at least two weeks, making the matter concerning moving forward, especially if it doesn’t go well in Texas. So what should they do? Time will tell, staring Thursday in Dallas against the Mavericks.
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