Kerr was almost as happy to get Pachulia as he was to get Durant
Reigning NBA Coach of the Year Steve Kerr was on cloud nine when he realized the Golden State Warriors were going to sign four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant to a contract this summer.
The feeling he had when Zaza Pachulia was acquired was a close second, though.
During a media presser on Wednesday afternoon, Kerr told reporters that he was almost as happy to get the 6-foot-11 center as he was to get Durant, according to 957 The Game's John Dickinson.
In order to create the cap space to land the former Oklahoma City Thunder forward, Golden State had to essentially part ways with both center Andrew Bogut and his backup Festus Ezeli. Bogut was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks in a salary dump in exchange for a future second-round pick, while Ezeli took his talents to the Portland Trail Blazers on a two-year, $16-million contract.
This created a giant hole at the five spot, but thankfully, the Warriors managed to recruit Pachulia and convince him to sign for less money to become a part of a championship roster, which Kerr said he and the Warriors feel lucky he chose to do. His deal will pay him $2.9 million for one season.
Kerr's rotation will still be relatively thin when it comes to legitimate size at the center position. Damian Jones is a 7-footer, but he's only a rookie, and David West will likely see more of his minutes at power forward being 6-foot-9. The "death lineup" with All-Star Draymond Green (6-foot-7) at the five will still be deployed, as well.
Pachulia averaged 8.6 points and 9.4 rebounds on 46.6 percent shooting in his one and only season with the Mavericks in 2015-16.