What can Donte DiVincenzo, JaMychal Green bring to Warriors? How free-agent signings bolster NBA title defense

Gilbert McGregor

What can Donte DiVincenzo, JaMychal Green bring to Warriors? How free-agent signings bolster NBA title defense image

After the Warriors earned their fourth NBA title in eight years, the impending doom of free agency hung as a dark cloud over championship celebrations that occurred throughout the streets of The Bay Area.

In assembling a championship roster, Golden State had already amassed a pricey luxury-tax bill. Several key players were set to become free agents, while others would soon become eligible for warranted contract extensions. It became clear that this Warriors team wouldn't be able to run it back.

MORE: How much longer can Warriors keep dynasty going?

As free agency began, The Sporting News' Stephen Noh indicated that major problems loomed in Golden State, as Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. were among the Warriors that opted to move on.

While the answer could be one of the young players on Golden State's roster, would they be able to find any viable replacements on the market? At initial glance, the answer is yes.

How Warriors' free-agent signings add to championship defense

Donte-DiVincenzo-Getty-FTR
(NBAE via Getty Images)

Donte DiVincenzo, SG

Contract: Two years, $9.2 million (Player option in Year 2)

2021-22 averages: 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists

Since being drafted by the Bucks in 2018, competing for title contenders is pretty much all DiVincenzo knows. That is, of course, outside of a few months spent with the Kings this past season.

DiVincenzo, 25, missed Milwaukee's 2019 run to the Eastern Conference Finals with an injury, but he played in 10 NBA Playoff games for the top-seeded Bucks in 2020. In 2021, DiVincenzo started in the first three games of Milwaukee's championship run before missing the final 20 games with an ankle injury.

He wasn't on the floor for the title-clincher, but DiVincenzo knows what it's like to contribute and play when the stakes are high.

It's certainly not a one-for-one replacement for Payton, who developed a reputation as a disruptive (and sometimes lockdown) defender, but the 6-4 DiVincenzo is a few years younger, has a bit more size and, despite his injury history, boasts plenty of athleticism.

With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in the fold, Golden State's starting backcourt is set, but the "Splash Brothers" aren't as young as they once were. DiVincenzo is a career 34.7 percent 3-point shooter that shot 36.8 percent from deep over 25 games with the Kings last year and can play off the ball, potentially in three-guard lineups.

The biggest part of this signing? This is a prove-it deal for DiVincenzo, who will have a player option following this season. Contributing to another deep postseason run — or even a title run — could pay dividends should DiVincenzo enter the open market again in 2023.

MORE: Warriors provide glimpse of future in 2022 Summer League

JaMychal-Green-Getty-FTR
(NBAE via Getty Images)

JaMychal Green, PF

Contract: TBD

2021-22 averages: 6.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 48.6 FG%

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Green will sign with the Warriors after completing a buyout with the Thunder. It may not be a splashy signing, but the addition of Green could best be described as solid.

At 32, Green brings the ability to defend multiple positions and, as a career 36.6 percent 3-point shooter, the ability to knock down open jumpers. Admittedly, Green's shooting has been off since the 2021 NBA Playoffs, but there is something to be said about the quality of the shot.

Green, like all Nuggets players, benefited from the playmaking of Nikola Jokic during his time in Denver, but after injuries to Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., he saw his 3-point efficiency dip.

In Golden State, Green will almost be an afterthought on the perimeter with Curry, Thompson and Jordan Poole drawing attention. Factor in the playmaking of Draymond Green, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see JaMychal Green rediscover that shooting touch.

He could make his presence felt in transition, too, when opposing defenses are panicking at the thought of Curry breaking free.

Similar to DiVincenzo and Payton, Green isn't a carbon copy of Porter, but the Warriors didn't necessarily need one. They've got a player that can defend, rebound and drain an open 3-pointer when the opportunity presents itself.

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.