The Warriors are reportedly on the verge of adding some inside depth.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, veteran power forward JaMychal Green intends to sign with Golden State after negotiating a buyout with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Listed at 6-foot-8, 227 pounds, the 32-year-old Green figures to add frontcourt depth and serve as a valuable role player and backup to Kevon Looney, along with third-year center James Wiseman.
Green played 67 games with the Denver Nuggets last season, averaging 6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 48.6 percent from the floor. Eventually he was shipped to OKC on a draft-night deal centered around the No. 30 pick, which ended up being UCLA forward Peyton Watson. Green exercised his player option for $8.2 million but could agree to a buyout figure smaller than that.
Green is a bruising presence down low and could fill in the minutes that went to players like Otto Porter Jr. last season. While Porter was more of a shooter who stretched out the defense, Green is a traditional big man who is comfortable playing with his back to the basket. Though he’s six years older than Looney, he probably has more bounce and can bring a little more verticality to the Warriors. He's never been a huge shot-blocking threat but holds his own on defense.
You have to assume that Green will be paid the veteran minimum given Golden State’s huge luxury tax bill that awaits them this season. He joins guard Donte DiVincenzo as the team’s free agent signees and brings the number of rotation veterans to eight, while the franchise awaits a surge of youth in 2022-23.
Here’s a look at the Warriors roster with the addition of Green. Remember, the Warriors have left the door open for Andre Iguodala to return, but he is yet to make a decision on retirement. Quinndary Weatherspoon is yet to sign a two-way deal as he reportedly seeks a guaranteed contract. Second-round pick Gui Santos is still pretty raw and isn't expected to play for the Warriors in the G League or NBA this season. Golden State can carry 15 full-time players and two two-way players during the season.
1. Steph Curry
2. Klay Thompson
3. Draymond Green
4. Andrew Wiggins
5. Kevon Looney
6. Jordan Poole
7. Donte DiVincenzo
8. JaMychal Green
9. Jonathan Kuminga
10. Moses Moody
11. James Wiseman
12. Patrick Baldwin Jr. (rookie, signed)
13. Ryan Rollins (rookie, unsigned)
14. OPEN
15. OPEN
16. Lester Quinones (two-way)
17. OPEN (two-way)
