Warriors target athletic center to save their season

The Golden State Warriors’ season is taking a very different turn from initial expectations. With a 13-15 record and ninth place in the West, Steve Kerr’s team has shown structural weaknesses that the front office no longer seems willing to ignore.

The result? Golden State is moving decisively in the market, with a clear goal: to add an athletic, explosive, defensive center.

This direction was confirmed by NBA insider Chris Haynes during NBA on Prime:

I’ve been told the Warriors are looking for size and athleticism. Rebounds, blocks, and points in the paint are areas where they are in the bottom half of the league. That’s why they want an athletic center.”

Chris Haynes

The Numbers That Explain the Urgency

The stats tell a pretty clear story. The Warriors rank:

• 19th in rebounds (43.5 per game)
• 22nd in blocks (4.3)
• 30th and last in points in the paint (41.4)

It’s hard to compete at a high level without a physical presence near the rim. And this is exactly why a concrete intervention is necessary.

The Horford Case and Current Rotations

In the summer, Golden State tried to fill the gap left by Kevon Looney by betting on Al Horford, but the move didn’t yield the expected results. Between physical issues and lack of continuity, Horford played only 13 games, averaging 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds.

Behind him are Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post, interesting profiles but still too raw to support immediate ambitions. Draymond Green remains a situational, not structural, solution. Hence the decision to look elsewhere.

The Three Names on the Warriors’ Notebook

According to Haynes, the candidate list is well-defined.

Daniel Gafford (Dallas Mavericks)

A vertical center reliable on defense, Gafford is averaging 8.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. He’s a good rim-runner and effective close to the basket, though he doesn’t fully solve the rebounding problem. A functional, rather than game-changing, profile.

Nic Claxton (Brooklyn Nets)

The most complete name of the trio. Claxton averages 13.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks, with defensive presence that in the past earned him Defensive Player of the Year considerations. Mobility, court vision, and versatility: he would be the most “transformative” addition for Golden State.

Robert Williams III (Portland Trail Blazers)

When healthy, “Time Lord” remains one of the most impactful defenders in the NBA. His stats (5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks) don’t fully reflect the influence he can have near the rim. The main concern remains his physical durability, a factor the Warriors need to assess carefully.

Injury Risks and Market Variables

Both Gafford and Williams carry a history of physical issues. Betting on one of them means accepting a certain level of risk, hoping Golden State’s context can maximize their value without overloading them.

On the trade front, there are already rumors involving Gafford and a symbolic return like Klay Thompson, but much will depend on costs, timing, and the willingness of other teams. The February trade deadline is approaching, and the Warriors seem determined to act.

A Choice That Says a Lot About Their Ambitions

The sense is that Golden State does not want to resign itself to a transitional season. Seeking an athletic, defensive center is an attempt to fix the most obvious flaws without dismantling the team’s identity. The question remains whether one of these names will be enough to turn the tide, or if an even deeper intervention will be needed.