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DeAndre Jordan could be a candidate for the Golden State Warriors’ final roster spot if the veteran center is bought out by the Brooklyn Nets. The Warriors are gearing up for a title run with the eventual return of Klay Thompson next season, and have a good mix of young talent and wily veterans.
But when they face the elite Western Conference powers, the Golden State Warriors may be a wee bit thin up front with James Wiseman and Kevon Looney likely not enough to challenge dominant big men such as the Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert, the Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton and even the LA Lakers’ Dwight Howard.
How DeAndre Jordan fits in with the Golden State Warriors
DeAndre Jordan could be the Golden State Warriors’ answer to some of their problems against the West’s big men. Of course, Jordan is no longer the same slam-dunking, high-flying center he once was, but the former All-Star showed in his few minutes on the court last season that he can still grab rebounds with the best of them.
In his 57 games for the Brooklyn Nets last campaign, DeAndre Jordan had double-figure rebounds in 17 contests while grabbing between eight or nine rebounds 12 times.
If the Golden State Warriors are serious about pursuing a title next season, there are at least three reasons why they should go after DeAndre Jordan.
#3 A center to face off against the LA Lakers’ big men
The LA Lakers are primed for another championship run and they have solidified their center position with the return of Dwight Howard. What better way for the Golden State Warriors to win against them in the playoffs than with a center like DeAndre Jordan who can match up well with Howard?
Though it’s not a guarantee that they’ll face the Lakers in the postseason, the Golden State Warriors have to be ready in the event that the 2020 champs get in their way. As a center with a lot of playoff experience, DeAndre Jordan could help the Warriors nullify Howard’s inside presence by banging with him in the paint whenever the Lakers center enters the contest.
#2 DeAndre Jordan can play effectively in limited minutes for the Golden State Warriors
The lack of an inside presence was costly for the Golden State Warriors during the play-in tournament games. The Lakers’ Anthony Davis had 25 points and 12 rebounds against them in the first play-in game last May.
And though the Golden State Warriors somewhat negated Jonas Valanciunas’ presence for the Memphis Grizzlies, the veteran center still grabbed 12 boards and scored nine points in the 26 minutes he was on the floor.
DeAndre Jordan on the Golden State Warriors would provide them 18-to-20 minutes of a solid presence in the shaded area, someone who can bang bodies for them and swat away a couple of enemy missiles at the rate of 1.1 blocks per game like he did last season.
Additionally, DeAndre Jordan averaged 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in only 21.9 minutes per game. While he languished on the bench in the playoffs for the Brooklyn Nets, the Golden State Warriors would not be as dismissive of Jordan’s presence on the court if he joins them.
#1 A mentor to James Wiseman
DeAndre Jordan has 13 seasons under his belt. The Golden State Warriors can squeeze as much of his knowledge as they can when he’s on the bench sitting beside incoming sophomore James Wiseman.
Draymond Green was that presence for Wiseman last season, and he can still provide that next season, but the former Defensive Player of the Year can give much of that responsibility to DeAndre Jordan. Jordan was arguably the most athletic center in the league during his younger days and he would be an excellent mentor to the 2020 draftee, who is an athletic wonder in his own right.
As good as Green is, however, he doesn’t play the center position full time like DeAndre Jordan. This gives the Golden State Warriors an opportunity to accelerate the growth of a potential future star while they compete for a championship.
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