Unrestricted free agent Zaza Pachulia has reached an agreement with the Golden State Warriors on a 1-year, $2.9 million contract, according to Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania.
Zaza Pachulia is headed to the Golden State Warriors on a 1-year, $2.9 million deal
The former Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks center is headed to California on a 1-year contract and may be the starting center.
Pachulia, who is 32 years old, spent the 2015-16 season with the Dallas Mavericks, after being traded there by the Milwaukee Bucks. He was Dallas’ consolation prize after being spurned by DeAndre Jordan but early in the season he looked like an absolute steal. Before the All-Star game Pachulia averaged a double-double in 30 minutes a game and provided a solid inside presence on both ends. With his help, the Mavericks hovered above .500 and looked like a threat to get homecourt advantage in the playoffs.
As the months went by, however, Pachulia’s performance started to waver. He had never logged over 2,000 minutes since the 2006-07 season when he was 22 years old and he started to break down. After the All-Star game Pachulia averaged just six points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes per game. He simply couldn’t handle the minutes in such a big role.
Dallas’ chances of being a threat in the first round of the postseason disappeared as its starting center declined. The Mavs ultimately finished with the sixth-best record in the conference and were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. Pachulia struggled on both ends, finishing the series with averages of six points and five rebounds while shooting a paltry 37 percent from the floor. He also had trouble keeping Oklahoma City’s bigs off of the offensive board.
By now everyone knows what Pachulia brings to the table: toughness, rebounding and a high basketball IQ. He averages 12 points and 10 rebounds per 36 minutes for his career on a solid 46 percent from the floor. He lacks the mobility to be a true defensive anchor, but he makes up for it with good instincts and anticipation.
Normally, he’d be overmatched as a starter. But on the new Warriors, who can surround him with four of the 15 best players in the league and can replace him with Andre Iguodala when they go small, he’ll be just fine.
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