NBA Free Agency: Dewayne Dedmon at center for the Warriors?
Well, this is one option in the event of an Andre Iguodala departure.
It’s that time of year! Teams are moving pieces around to trim the fat (in terms of player redundancy and cold, hard cash). Of course, they are looking to bolster their squads for the next season, too.
Now that an Andre Iguodala return no longer is a sure thing, the Warriors are putting all options on the table. Today, the NBA rumor mill is abuzz with chatter about Dewayne Dedmon as one such possibility.
If Warriors stayed above cap, they could give Dewayne Dedmon the full midlevel exception ($8.4 million starting). That's the potential play.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 30, 2017
Currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Dedmon tallied 5.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the 2016-17 NBA season. Although the Spurs were clobbered by the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, Dedmon still gained solid playoff experience.
Something to watch on Warriors front: IF Andre Iguodala leaves, there's discussion about Dewayne Dedmon's candidacy for starting center spot
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 30, 2017
Iguodala has done a great job of taking care of his body to continue playing at a high level, but with 12 years in the league and a 33-year-old body, the seven-foot Dedmon — age 27, with only three years in the league — undoubtedly has the edge on fresh legs and longevity.
They wanted Dedmon last summer. This year they can offer him a multi-year deal, unlike last year. But full MLE is probably too high, IMO. https://t.co/0W1jVynmVU
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) June 30, 2017
In the 2016-17 season for the Warriors, Iguodala totaled 7.6 points, 4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Unlike Dedmon, Iguodala has proven himself to be a solid playmaker. But with clever playmakers like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Shaun Livingston on the squad, would the Warriors miss Iguodala’s playmaking abilities in exchange for fresh legs under the basket?