The Golden State Warriors have yet to make a single move in free agency, but the franchise has shown a willingness to add depth at the center position, especially since the departure of their franchise legend and 3-time NBA champion big man, Kevon Looney.
Golden State has shown interest in signing 5-time All-Star and NBA champion Al Horford, although he has not agreed formally to a deal thanks to Jonathan Kuminga’s ongoing restricted free agency stalemate.
With the Warriors aiming to fill the rebounding void created as a result of Looney’s decision to join the New Orleans Pelicans as a free agent, the team’s general manager Mike Dunleavy could make an intriguing decision prior to the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign.
In an effort to bring in a safety blanket option at center alongside Horford, the Warriors might be willing to negotiate a contract with 2016 NBA champion and a former NBA Finals adversary as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tristan Thompson.
Thompson’s best days are admittedly behind him, but the 34-year-old frontcourt force’s experience as one of the best offensive rebounders in the entire NBA could serve the Warriors well in a limited role.
As a member of the Cavaliers in 2024-25, Thompson contributed 1.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in only 8.2 minutes of action, as he was firmly placed on the back end of an incredibly deep bench rotation.
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Throughout his 13-year NBA career, the 6-foot-9 big man has averaged 8.3 points and 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 of which have come on the offensive glass.
Thompson’s mobility will certainly come into question if Golden State begins to seriously consider adding the veteran to their roster, but the franchise could look past it due to their previous battles opposite the imposing center in the NBA Finals.
Over the course of the Warriors’ four consecutive Finals matchups with the Cavaliers from 2015-2018, Thompson snagged 8.6 rebounds in 22 total contests and helped the franchise capture its first-ever NBA championship in 2016.
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