2017 Orlando Magic Free Agency Preview: The Centers

2 of 6

Jan 22, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA;Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) shoots over Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Zaza Pachulia, Golden State Warriors

Per Game Table
Season	Age	Tm	G	MP	FG%	FT%	TRB	AST	TOV	PF	PTS
2016-17	32	GSW	70	18.1	.534	.778	5.9	1.9	1.2	2.4	6.1
Career			961	21.2	.465	.748	6.0	1.3	1.4	2.6	7.0

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/30/2017.

Way back when the Orlando Magic drafted Zaza Pachulia in the second round. He was a grinder off the bench who provided a shot of energy for the team. The Magic left him exposed in the following year’s expansion draft and he moved on to the Milwaukee Bucks, through a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats.

Since then, Pachulia has carved out a career as a bit of an instigator and enforcer and solid defender. He doe snot have great athleticism and never did. But he is a master of positioning and getting under opponent’s skin. Even at 32 years old, he contributed significantly to the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

And there is no reason to think he will slow down significantly. Or the taste of championship champagne would cause him to seek to go elsewhere.

Pachulia is not going to command a high salary. He is in the Magic’s price range if he wanted to explore the market. But that is not likely.

The Warriors likely want to bring Pachulia back — at less, if possible considering the moves they have to make — and Pachulia would probably look at contenders if he decided to leave. That is decidedly not the Magic.

And it is not like the Magic could guarantee him minutes even if he came. Like many of the centers on this list, acquiring Pachulia would be a bit of a dream.