Festus Ezeli RFA summer of 2016

[otherdave]

DA seems to be going down the path of trying to incrementally improve the roster while keeping financial flexibility waiting for a big strike.  He will have tough decisions next summer with respect to Zeller and Sully's contract renewals (if they are still here).  Lets assume Lee will not be returning to Bean Town.  The patient waiting dance is a tricky one though:  make (perhaps small) upgrades to the talent level while not blowing the budget in a changing landscape where all teams have cap space and many teams over pay for mid level talent (this of course is already happening i.e. E Kanter, T Thompson).

Lets say some team offers Sully a boat load of money & Danny passes, and that Danny just passes on Zeller out right.  Kelly & Jordan Mickey are already locked up for next year.  Although Amir is not in the long term plans (the tread on his tires is wearing thin), Danny re-ups for one more year.  So we are looking at KO, AJ and JM for next year.

Do we pursue GSW's backup center, the Nigerian intellect Festus Exeli? 

If Golden State breaks the bank to keep Harrison Barnes, how committed will they be to keep Festus?

Is Festus's play/potential enough to tempt you to offer "Zeller money" (whatever that figure is) to Festus rather than to Zeller.

In other words, is anyone out there intrigued by Mr. Ezeli?  I am asking because I admit that I know very little about him other than the basics stats available i.e. PER of 19.46

[otherdave]

Ok, no love for Festus on this blog.  I'll look for other potential upgrades.

[trickybilly]

Not sure he fits really. Great D, not great passing skills. Worth a phone call though.. actually Bogut might be a better back up 5 in our system

[jacigar]

I believe Ezeli may be the best Center available to us in FA. Lee will be gone. Zeller will probably be gone also. We can play Ezeli and AJ/Sully at center with Mickey at PF. I would also like to sign Batum to play SG. He is a great 3pt shooter and plays good Def. With all the love and hype for Young and Hunter, I do  not see where either has proven he can  become an NBA SG.

[TheFlex]

I think Ezeli would be a great get in free agency.

[Tr1boy]

no thanks.  Decent player that is going to ask too much

It's too bad Danny drafted Melo over Ezeli

[alldaboston]

I'd rather try my luck at Harrison Barnes

[byennie]

I definitely wouldn't mind having him, but I think GS is going to keep him. Barnes is gone. Max money for a #3/#4 option isn't worth it when they could replace him with a cheaper 3-and-D type and not miss a beat. You could put Matt Barnes in that spot and I think GS is still 13-0. Meanwhile, Ezeli is their Bogut insurance and if they ended up missing both they'd be in serious jeopardy of getting steamrolled by e.g. the Clippers or the Spurs.

All that said, if he can be had for a reasonable contract, he's in his prime, smart, good defender, true center, yeah would be a decent asset.

[LooseCannon]

If Golden State breaks the bank to keep Harrison Barnes, how committed will they be to keep Festus?

I think it is very possible that the Warriors see Ezeli as equally important to their future as Barnes.

I wouldn't really call him the backup center.  He has started 10 out of 14 games so far this season, even if he is only averaging 20 minutes per game, and he seems to be on track to be the team's undisputed starting center after 2016-2017 when Andrew Bogut becomes a free agent.

I can see Ezeli being given Tristan Thompson money by Golden State.