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In light of recent reports that the Golden State Warriors are preparing to sign center Andrew Bogut from the Sydney Kings of the NBL in Australia, Warriors beat writer Connor Letourneau appeared on Murph & Mac Monday morning to talk about how the potential deal, as well as what the role and impact the big man could have.
Despite the news seemingly coming out of nowhere, Letourneau is not surprised that Bogut is making his way back to The Bay.
“I’m not shocked,” Letourneau said. “I had talked to some people in the organization recently about Bogut and there was definitely some serious interest on the Warriors’ part. They’ve been following what he’s being doing in Australia. He had a really nice season in Australia, winning MVP of that league, which is not the Euro League, but it’s a solid overseas league. He looked completely healthy, looked like he could play meaningful NBA minutes.
“Obviously they have a history with Bogut. They like him. Bogut likes the Warriors. Bogut likes Steve (Kerr), so it just makes a lot of sense. He’s going to be a guy who’s going to come in and, not necessarily play big minutes, but be a nice big body to throw out there, especially in the playoffs when DeMarcus Cousins potentially gets in foul trouble. It’ll be nice to have an experienced, savvy big who is used to that stage and can go up against the likes of Steven Adams or Joel Embiid.”
Letourneau is optimistic about the ease at which coach Stave Kerr and other Warriors coaches will work Bogut back into the lineup.
“I think (his time) will be very matchup based,” Letourneau said of Bogut’s potential role. “I don’t expect him to have a consistent rotational role right away. I think it’ll be a situation where he’ll back up DeMarcus in match-ups that make sense…and he’ll call in for cameos when necessary; when DeMarcus gets in foul trouble or what have you. But I don’t think there’s going to be a clear depth chart at center behind DeMarcus. I do expect Cousins to stay the starting center throughout the playoffs.
Every team goes through mid-season lulls, and the Warriors are not immune to this side effect of an 82-game season. For some Warriors fans, it may even seem like Golden State doesn’t really turn it on until playoff time. Letourneau thinks adding Bogut will revitalize this bunch.
“I think with the (Warriors), as we all know, their big issue is complacency and not really getting up for the big moment,” Letourneau said, “and I think Bogut brings another level to this team. He brings that edge. He can kind of compliment Draymond Green in that way, and I think that’s going to be really big in the playoffs. Just having some new energy, and also someone that some of the main guys are familiar with and have a rapport with I think will bode well for them down the stretch.
“I would not be surprised if there were times in the playoffs where he was playing at the end of games because they like the defensive matchup. They like his ability to anchor things in the interior down the stretch. I think he could end up having some really pivotal moments for this team in the playoffs.”
Listen to the full interview below: