Warriors aim to fill need at center spot
With center James Wiseman potentially out for the season with a torn right meniscus, the Warriors will look into adding another big man.
“Now we’re obviously very thin in the frontcourt,” Golden State head coach Steve Kerr said before Monday night’s game against the Nuggets at Chase Center. “So, that’s something that we will be looking at as we go forward once we get word on what James’ prognosis is.”
Wiseman is still getting opinions from doctors about the severity of his injury, but it’s clear he’ll miss extended time. Players with meniscus injuries that don’t require surgery tend to return in about four weeks. Those who do need surgery, however, can need several months to come back.
Even if Wiseman doesn’t undergo a procedure, he’ll likely miss the rest of the season. The Warriors have five weeks until the playoffs. Given how important Wiseman is to the franchise’s longterm outlook, Golden State figures to be cautious with his recovery process.
This leaves an immediate need in the frontcourt. The Warriors’ only true center with Wiseman out is Kevon Looney, who started Monday against the Nuggets. Juan ToscanoAnderson and Draymond Green, both of whom are 6foot6, can fill in at center. At 66, 255 pounds, Eric Paschall also can play some center once he returns from a hip injury that’s expected to sideline him at least several more games.
Given that the Warriors don’t have anyone available taller than 69, they might want to bring someone in who can provide some size to go against the league’s top centers. They could sign someone off the buyout market with their $9.3 million disabledplayer exception. If no one down that route intrigues them, the Warriors might choose to sign a player from the G League.
They have one open spot on the 15man roster. When guard Gary Payton II’s 10day contract expires next week, the Warriors will have two available contracts.
But at the moment, adding someone isn’t their biggest concern. Coaches and players are trying to keep Wiseman upbeat. After a slew of setbacks over the first threeplus months of his rookie season, he started to make significant progress in recent days, only to land awkwardly on a dunk attempt in Saturday’s win over the Rockets and injure his right knee.
“He’s just been through an awful lot this season,” Kerr said of Wiseman, who can do upperbody work as he waits to learn more about his knee injury. “He has a really good way about him, and he’s at a minimum putting up a good front.
“But I know he’s really crushed, and he’s hanging in there.”