Sources: Zaza Pachulia to join Warriors powerhouse
Free-agent center Zaza Pachulia has agreed to a one-year, $2.9 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, replacing Andrew Bogut, who was traded to Dallas, league sources told The Vertical.
Pachulia passed on more lucrative offers in free agency for the opportunity to potentially start in a lineup with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green.
The Warriors will use their entire room exception to sign Pachulia, sources said.
Although the Warriors only have minimum salaries to offer, there's interest from role players on the market to join Golden State and compete for a championship.
After receiving a commitment from Durant on Monday, the Warriors worked toward securing an agreement with a center. Pachulia, 32, averaged 8.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 76 games for the Mavericks last season.
Throughout his 13-year career, Pachulia has provided consistent production and intelligence on both ends of the floor. For the high-powered Warriors, he’ll serve as a player who can pass, defend and hit the occasional midrange jumper without needing a lot of offensive touches.
The Warriors considered several players for the center role, including a significant pursuit of free agent Dewayne Dedmon, sources said. Golden State sent Bogut to Dallas for a future second-round pick, essentially swapping starting centers.
Pachulia has averaged 7.1 points and six rebounds for his career in stints with Orlando, Milwaukee, Atlanta and Dallas.
