Just half way into his first season as a member of the Golden State Warriors, Zaza Pachulia has already established himself as a fan favorite.
The feeling is apparently mutual, with Pachulia telling the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday that he has no desire to leave the Warriors when he becomes a free agent this offseason.
“I don’t want the season to end,” said Pachulia. “When people ask me about (free agency) this summer, I say, ‘I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying here.’ Even after June, I’m staying here.”
Pachulia, a 12-year veteran, has hit his stride after a rocky start to begin the season, providing toughness and gifted passing abilities that perfectly complement the four All-Stars with which he frequently shares the floor. Pachulia is averaging just under six points, six rebounds and two assists in 18.8 minutes per game this season. Those numbers don’t fully illustrate Pachulia’s impact on the court, however. The Georgian center is currently second amongst all NBA centers in real plus-minus, behind only Utah’s Rudy Gobert.
What’s more, Pachulia, 32, was peaking before sustaining a right rotator-cuff strain that has sidelined him for Golden State’s past three games, scoring in double-figures in seven of his last 14 contests. He also got the best of matchups with DeMarcus Cousins and DeAndre Jordan in recent weeks.
“Zaza’s been great for us,” Kerr said. “He gives us a real toughness down low, and he’s great working off his teammates. I’ve been really impressed.”
Pachulia took a massive pay cut to join the Warriors this offseason, signing a one-year deal worth $2.9 million, spurning other offers to make $2.3 million less than he did the previous season.
The Warriors are expected to have a whopping 10 free agents next offseason, including both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, who are each due for contracts starting at $36 million next season. It is likely that Pachulia will once again have to sign for less than he is worth to stick with the team.
“Winning means so much,” said Pachulia, who has never reached a conference finals. “Being around this amazing group of guys, this coaching staff, front office, the fans, it means a lot. This is a huge, huge experience for me.”