Warriors Signing Yet Another Unsung Big Man is Proof of Their Serious Lack of Depth
By Ryan Giglio
Even with the loss of Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors are loaded with star power. However, the team's talent is top-heavy in this regard, with a serious drop-off once you get to their bench (to say nothing of the fact that they may have to start Alfonzo McKinnie).
Monday's signing of undrafted rookie center Kavion Pippen proved just how noticeable the Dubs' sudden depth issues really are.
Pippen joins the team thanks to injuries to Willie Cauley-Stein, Kevin Looney and Alen Smailagic.
While the 6-foot-10, 240-pound center will see some preseason action, he's likely to eventually land with the Warriors' Santa Cruz G League affiliate. His signing is nothing more than depth insurance at a depleted center position for Golden State, similiar to their recent addition of Marquese Chriss.
Of course, the Warriors have capitalized on positionless basketball during their dominate run this decade and will continue to use Draymond Green at center this season during crunch time. Green is one of the best defenders of his era, after all, and can control the middle of the floor.
However, this move likely does nothing to help the team's issues defending the perimeter, especially with Klay Thompson being sidelined long-term.
The Warriors are already facing a steeper hill to get back to the Finals this season after a truly wild NBA offseason, and their lack of quality depth pieces is surely to be exposed over the course of the season in a reloaded Western Conference.