Four Free Agent Center Options for the Warriors

With the news that James Wiseman’s ability to play this certain is entirely uncertain, it’s a much more viable time for the Warriors to explore some back-up options at center for the playoffs. Assuming the Dubs don’t love what they have rotationally in either Nemanja Bjelica or Damion Lee, there could be a roster move made before the end of the regular season.

Most people would say that it’s probably too late, and to a certain extent? They’d be right. But the other problem is that there never really was a good opportunity by the time it became a major concern. The current market for free agent centers this season has been ruthlessly dry, especially since the replacement player deals allowed for more free agents to get looks from teams initially lacking at the beginning of the season.

Regardless, there are still a few options on the market which the Dubs could go after. Between vets, familiar faces, and breakout players from this season, here are the options at the center position which Golden State could use to shore up their bench.

1) Marc Gasol
All things considered, this may be the biggest reach on this list. Gasol last played in the NBA with the 2020-2021 Lakers, where he played spurts of minutes against the Phoenix Suns. Just two years prior, Gasol was an NBA champion and starting center for the Toronto Raptors. He’s a high IQ player, a former Defensive Player of the Year, improved as a shooter the longer he was in the league, and has a similar game to Andrew Bogut if he developed a jumper, essentially. The problem? Gasol is currently playing for a team he owns in Spain, and he’s contemplating retirement after finishing the season there. Could he be persuaded to come back to the league? Maybe, but it’s unfortunately not too likely.

2) Willie Cauley-Stein
WCS has the immediate benefit of being a former Warrior. He played with the team in the down-year of 2019-2020, and had some relatively productive moments to the tune of 7 points and 6 boards in just about 20 minutes per contest. Cauley-Stein’s been around the league a bit since then, playing mostly for the Mavs before he was brought on for a brief stint with the Sixers earlier this season. He was waived in favor of Deandre Jordan, which certainly is indicative of how Philly felt about him. While he likely isn’t the best option of the bunch due to relative playoff inexperience and some bad habits, he wouldn’t be a terrible pickup for the Dubs.

3) John Henson
The shortest guy on the list which likely eliminates him just because the Warriors need a 7-footer, Henson has the most experience on the list besides Marc Gasol. He played meaningful minutes for the Bucks in the 17-18 playoffs, averaging about 9 points, 6 boards, and over 3 blocks in the two games he played. He was a great defender in college, which translated relatively well to the NBA, despite his vertical challenge at his position. Henson would likely be an end-of-bench or locker-room presence type of player if he’s signed.

4) Moses Brown
Here’s where things get a little interesting. At 7’2, Brown is a young guy who could definitely fill in a role for the Dubs if Wiseman ends up absent. He currently plays on the Cleveland Cavaliers in place of Jarrett Allen, who injured his hand a couple weeks back, on his second 10-day. If his contracted is converted, he could play for the Cavs in the playoffs assuming Allen misses time, which means that he may end up ineligible here. That’s a pretty big if, though. Assuming he isn’t rostered by the Cavs, the Warriors could be Brown’s next destination. His only season playing over 20 minutes a game came last season with the Thunder, where he averaged 8 points, 8 boards, and 1 block a game. Brown could end up as a diamond in the rough despite his age, which is the only limiting factor if he’s free.

(Photo credit: Takashi Aoyama / Getty Images)