In recent years, it has become common for teams to hire former players. Teams reach out to former players, and they join their former team in some capacity. Some players go on to be assistant coaches, scouts or join the team’s front office. Earlier this summer, Antawn Jamison joined the Wizards as the Director of Pro Personnel. Now, the Warriors have added two former players to their staff. According to reports, they promoted Mike Dunleavy Jr to Assistant GM and hired Zaza Pachulia as a team consultant.
Warriors announce Basketball Operations promotions and additions pic.twitter.com/Lnf7D9odr2
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) August 29, 2019
Dunleavy and Pachulia are familiar faces to the Warriors’ organization. Dunleavy played for the Warriors from 2002 to 2007. The Warriors selected Dunleavy with the third pick of the 2002 draft. He stayed with the Warriors until they traded him to the Indiana Pacers. Then, he went on to play for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks.
After he was waived from the Hawks, Dunleavy announced his retirement. He joined the Warriors a year later as a scout. Now, he will serve as their Assistant General Manager as they head into the 2019-20 season. But the Warriors will have another player within the organization. Pachulia joins the Warriors as a consultant.
Last season, Pachulia played for the Detroit Pistons. He played with the Pistons for a season after signing with them last summer. He played in 68 games and averaged 3.9 points and 3.9 rebounds. The center retired this summer and was quietly named a team consultant.
Pachulia played two seasons with the Warriors, as they won back to back championships. He won championships in 2017 and 2018. During his time with the Warriors, Pachulia averaged nearly 5.8 points and 5.3 rebounds. He was a physical player who had a few controversial plays with opposing players such as Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook. Regardless, Pachulia played a part in the Warriors’ success.
Dunleavy and Pachulia have history with the Warriors. Both of them played for the Warriors at one point in their career and arguably had solid runs with them. The Warriors should benefit from having them in their organization.
Featured Image courtesy of USA Today Sports
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