NBA Rumors: Zaza Pachulia Missed Out On $17 Million Before Signing With Golden State Warriors

When it comes to free agency in the NBA, there are always going to be winners and losers. According to Fansided, Zaza Pachulia missed out on a two-year contract worth approximately $20 million from the Washington Wizards. When that generous offer was no longer on the table, the veteran center decided to chase a championship ring.

Kevin Durant was considered the highest priority in free agency for the Washington Wizards. Management was hoping to lure him back to his hometown and create a super team with John Wall and Bradley Beal. The move would have enabled the Wizards to compete with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but Durant was not interested.

When Kevin Durant was no longer an option, the Washington Wizards decided to move down their priority list. Management wanted to pick up another big man, as they felt that it was time for a divorce from Nene Hilario. The veteran center decided to take his talents to the Houston Rockets as a replacement for Dwight Howard.

OFFICIAL: #Warriors sign Zaza Pachulia » https://t.co/vk9JgELUtf pic.twitter.com/6nDns6UU2x

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) July 12, 2016

Zaza Pachulia was one of the options that the Washington Wizards considered. However, when management found out that a better option was available, they turned their attention elsewhere. The Wizards signed Ian Mahinmi away from the Indiana Pacers on a four-year contract worth approximately $64 million, as reported by USA Today.

In one of the biggest shockers in NBA history, Kevin Durant decided to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with the Golden State Warriors in free agency. In order to make the move happen, the Warriors needed to trade away starting center Andrew Bogut, which left an opening in their front court.

That scenario was a great opportunity for Zaza Pachulia. While he would not be paid as much as he wanted, playing with the Golden State Warriors would enable him to have a chance at winning his first NBA Championship. Pachulia is projected to be named the starting center by Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

With Andrew Bogut now with the Dallas Mavericks and Festus Ezeli signing with the Portland Trail Blazers, there is not a lot of competition for Zaza Pachulia. The Golden State Warriors recently signed David West, who signed a cheap contract last season with the San Antonio Spurs for the sake of chasing an NBA title, but he is better suited as a backup now.

One of the things that made Zaza Pachulia appealing is that he is a professional. When the Dallas Mavericks took away his minutes, he handled it quite well. Pachulia started the games, headed to the bench quickly, and remained supportive. Expect to see him doing the same thing for the Golden State Warriors.

According to SB Nation, the Golden State Warriors signed Zaza Pachulia to a one-year contract worth approximately $2.9 million. That is much less than what Pachulia could have made elsewhere in the NBA. That shows just how badly that the 32-year-old center wants to win a championship.

Zaza Pachulia is basically taking a gamble on himself. NBA executives have a tendency to lean towards players from winning environments. If Pachulia can help the Golden State Warriors win a championship, then he is going to draw some attention in free agency next summer, where the salary cap is expected to rise again.

If things work out the way that Zaza Pachulia is hoping, then by next summer, he’s going to have his first NBA Championship ring and a contract worth $20 million or more. If it does not happen that way, then Pachulia is going to have a chance to choose where in the National Basketball Association that he wants to continue his career.

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