LOS ANGELES – With Festus Ezeli out for at least another month and Andrew Bogut hobbling on a tender Achilles tendon, the Warriors are in search of a big man who can be a presence in the paint.
Marreese Speights, no matter the sweetness of his shot, is not it.
Jason Thompson, the jovial dude on the end of the end of the bench, clearly is not it.
Anderson Varejao, however, might be that guy. Assuming he clears waivers Sunday, he’ll become a free agent and the Warriors are all over the possibility of bringing him to the Bay Area.
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Are the defending champions interested in Varejao? Of course, they’re interested. He’s 6-foot-11, 270 pounds – a big, energetic body that thrives on contact and actually enjoys playing defense.
There were moments Saturday night, during a 115-112 win over the Clippers at Staples Center, when Warriors coach Steve Kerr would love to have been able to summon Varejao from his bench to spell Draymond Green, who started at center because Bogut was a late scratch with a sore right Achilles.
The coach instead turned to Speights, who played nine minutes, submitting four points, one rebound, two turnovers and two fouls. The Clippers at the sight of Mo attacked the rim, as all teams do. Mo is a shooter. Defense is hard for him, and it shows.
Thompson, in less than two minutes at the very end, delivered only one statistic: minus-10.
The Warriors closed the game with Green, who at 6-foot-6 is a terrific small-ball center but not built to spend 30 minutes a night in that role. He played 38 wonderful minutes on Saturday.
[POOLE: Kerr on Varejao, Warriors pairing: 'Makes perfect sense, right?']
Which brings us back to Varejao. After 12 years in Cleveland, some of them fulfilling, Varejao on Thursday was traded to Portland, which placed him on waivers in the blink of an eye. If he clears waivers Sunday, teams will line up for his services.
Having never won a championship despite so many seasons alongside LeBron James, Varejao likely will be searching for a contender. The Warriors, among others who believe they can win it all, are in line.
How much does Varejao have left? It’s hard to say. He wasn’t playing much for the Cavaliers. Still, he’s an eager, often effective, defender.
The Warriors would have to create a roster spot for him, but they’re willing to do that. They could pay Varejao, 33, a prorated salary that wouldn’t crunch the checkbook. They’re willing to do that, too.
So it’ll be up to Varejao and where he wishes to be. If he watched Saturday night, he saw enough to where the Warriors stand.
