Glancing ahead to matchups they might see in the NBA playoffs, the Warriors finally seem willing to consider addressing an area they usually ignore.
They’re open to adding a veteran big man.
The last time they added such a player for the final two months of the regular season was in 2019, when they lured Andrew Bogut out of semi-retirement.
He didn’t play big minutes, but there were times when he served a purpose.
The change comes after the Dubs blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead against the LA Clippers on Wednesday night, losing a heartbreaker 130-125.
Thompson had one of his worst games of the season, not just shooting poorly — he shot 4-for-14 from the field, and just 1-for-9 from deep — but committing a brutal mental mistake when he purposely fouled Russell Westbrook with 39 seconds remaining and the Dubs set to get the ball back.
Podziemski, on the other hand, had one of the best games of his young career, scoring 25 points on 9-for-12 shooting, while adding seven rebounds and eight assists.
Thompson, who is struggling a bit this year, hasn’t come off the bench since his rookie season, so this will be an adjustment.
He recently told The Ringer’s Logan Murdock that he’s open to a reduced role if it means being able to return to Golden State next season, and perhaps he and the Warriors are getting an early start on that.
Golden State’s lineup has been very fluid this season, however. I’d be very shocked if we don’t see Klay start again at some point this year.
