Warriors’ Dunleavy talks Porzingis, Draymond Inexperienced, Kuminga and trades
LOS ANGELES – Just a few moments earlier than 7-foot-2 Kristaps Porzingis lifted his new No. 7 Golden State jersey for the flashing cameras in downtown Los Angeles, the most recent Warrior tried his hand at comedy.
“Forty-eight minutes,” Porzingis quipped when requested how a lot he anticipated to play per evening.
An hour earlier than tipping off in opposition to the Luka Doncic-less Lakers in Los Angeles on Saturday evening, the Warriors launched Porzingis, their lone addition from the NBA’s commerce deadline.
Golden State despatched out Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for the oft-injured Porzingis, who has performed in not less than 60 video games solely as soon as up to now seven seasons. He has suited up solely 17 occasions this season whereas coping with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), different numerous accidents and sickness.
However regardless of his sketchy harm historical past, the participant, coach Steve Kerr and basic supervisor Mike Dunleavy all expressed confidence that Porzingis is usually a contributor this season.
When he’s on the ground, Porzingis is averaging 17.1 factors per recreation and is a profession 36% 3-point shooter. Superior stats nonetheless paint him as an elite rim protector and high-impact participant.
“Clearly, we wouldn’t have made the commerce if we didn’t suppose there was an opportunity he could possibly be wholesome and taking part in loads for us,” Kerr mentioned.
Dunleavy acknowledged Porzingis’ lack of availability – he’s anticipated to debut for the workforce after the All-Star break – whereas additionally taking a not-so-subtle shot on the departed Kuminga.
“There’s no ensures and no certainties, however with the place he’s at proper now and the place he’s been we be ok with it,” Dunleavy mentioned. “On the opposite finish of it, when it comes to what we’re sending out, we’re sending out a participant in the same boat who struggled to remain on the ground.”
When requested about Kuminga immediately, Dunleavy merely wished the younger participant nicely in Atlanta.
Whereas he remained levelheaded when discussing the commerce that occurred, Dunleavy couldn’t assist however increase his voice when requested concerning the workforce’s reported pursuit of Bucks celebrity Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Dunleavy was adamant the workforce didn’t ask the Bucks about taking up Jimmy Butler or Draymond Inexperienced on the deadline, noting that the one time Inexperienced was mentioned was when different groups inquired concerning the lifelong Warrior.
“The truth is, nothing was shut and nothing was thought of,” Dunleavy mentioned. “Draymond was not being shopped or talked about in offers. So it’s a bit deceptive, and we’re attempting to choose up the items.”
On Inexperienced’s podcast, the Warriors participant painted a special image in an episode launched about eight hours earlier than Dunleavy spoke.
“We talked for fairly some time, after which he mentioned ‘By the way in which, on the Giannis entrance, we’ve spoke about Giannis … if we had been to do a deal for Giannis, you or Jimmy must be within the commerce simply to make it work,’ ” Inexperienced remembered in the course of the episode.
Regardless of his participant saying in any other case, Dunleavy shut down a query about him together with Inexperienced or Butler in a proposed bundle for Antetokounmpo.
“You’re placing phrases in my mouth, OK, that’s an unbelievable assumption,” Dunleavy mentioned. “No, no, no we’re not doing that. I’m not speaking about taking place the roster, speaking about who’s in trades and who’s not, we don’t do this.”
Dunleavy was extra talkative concerning the Warriors’ flexibility in each the current and offseason, when Porzingis’ contract expires and the Warriors nonetheless possess all of their draft picks.
“We’ve obtained the products to make offers,” Dunleavy mentioned. “I believe the one means we wouldn’t be within the combine is that if we gave out property, younger gamers, all of the issues we have to get an incredible participant, and we nonetheless have all of that,” Dunleavy mentioned. “We don’t really feel like we gave up a ton, so we nonetheless have the sort of firepower to maneuver ahead and do extra offers.“
The Warriors additionally nonetheless have an open roster spot, even after signing Pat Spencer to an ordinary contract over from a two-way deal.
After Dunleavy was completed fielding questions, Porzingis was beaming whereas describing how he match into Golden State’s roster. He performed with Al Horford in Boston, and has lengthy been a fan of each Inexperienced and Steph Curry.
“Simply watching him from the surface, he’s unreal, so to play alongside any individual like that, will probably be actually cool,” Porzingis mentioned of Curry. “I believe it brings the extent up for everyone, when you’ve gotten any individual like that in your workforce, a particular participant, it simply makes everyone larger.”
Kerr and Dunleavy agreed with Porzingis when he mentioned he doesn’t foresee debuting for the Warriors till after the All-Star break, which is when the Warriors additionally count on Curry to come back again from runner’s knee.
Then, the Warriors will discover out if Porzingis can present a post-break increase much like the jolt Butler gave final 12 months when he joined Golden State, which was 28-24 heading into Saturday’s recreation.
“I believe it’s an incredible alternative to show a brand new web page,” Porzingis mentioned.
