Andrew Bogut is heading back to the NBA

Andrew Bogut’s shock move was confirmed today when it was revealed the basketball star is going make waves in America again.

Andrew Bogut is going back to America.

Andrew Bogut is heading back to America.

The Sydney Kings star has agreed to return to the NBA with his former team Golden State Warriors, it was confirmed today.

Bogut has received a letter of clearance from his NBL team that paves the way for the Australian centre to rejoin reigning the NBA champions. The Athletic reported Bogut and the Warriors are working to finalise a one-year, minimum contract.

Bogut and the Warriors will now work to finalize a one-year, minimum contract. The NBL’s MVP is expected to hold a formal press conference soon with the Sydney Kings to announce his move. https://t.co/aXN82DW7x5

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 6, 2019

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Bogut is expected to travel with the team on its four-game road trip next week where it will play Houston, Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Minnesota.

“It’s a very exciting time for not just myself but the NBL as well,” Bogut said. “It’s not just a cupcake league. I can hopefully get over there and win a championship and come back and win another one here (with the Sydney Kings) next year.

“I’m not silly, they have some very good players over there and I know I’m older. There will be games when I don’t play.”

“I appreciate the opportunity. Even if it’s waving a towel on the bench for 20-odd games, I’m happy to do it.”

Bogut is a now a Warrior again.

“Though Bogut isn’t expected to play major minutes, he should help stabilise a struggling Golden State defence,” Connor Letourneau wrote.

“The 7-footer’s ability to block shots and anchor the interior will be a welcome addition, given that the Warriors currently have no traditional centres available other than DeMarcus Cousins, who has toiled through inconsistencies since returning last month from an Achilles injury that sidelined him almost a year.”

Although there’s plenty of excitement around Bogut’s return, NBA legend Charles Barkley said his signing suggested not all is well within the Warriors camp.

“It seems to be like they’re disinterested. The Andrew Bogut’s thing brings a red flag to me,” Barkley told ESPN.

“With all the talent they’ve got, they’ve got Boogie (DeMarcus) Cousins now … for them right at the end of the season to feel like they needed more help, that’s a red flag to me.

“It tells me they need some stability in the locker room, that to be is a red flag I’ve got to admit that.”

NBA writer Marc Stein said Bogut’s work without the ball in hand would be a welcome addition to a Warriors team struggling on the defensive end.

Exactly two years ago today, Andrew Bogut suffered a gruesome leg injury in the first minute of his stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now he makes a triumphant return to the NBA for a Warriors team that needs him … mired in 16th place in defensive rating

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 6, 2019

Writing for Bleacher Report, Tyler Conway said the lure of another NBA championship may have convinced Bogut to return to the States after previously saying he would end his career in Australia.

“It’s unclear why Bogut had an about-face, though competing for an NBA championship likely played a major factor,” Conway wrote. “Bogut’s Warriors career ended in 2016 with him on the bench for Games 6 and 7 of the NBA Finals as the Cavaliers completed a historic comeback.

“Bogut will now get to rewrite what will likely be the final chapter of his NBA story — all while not having much responsibility. The Warriors will play Bogut sparingly in most matchups, as they already have DeMarcus Cousins and Kevon Looney handling most of the minutes at centre.

“In the majority of playoff matchups, Bogut will probably be stapled to the bench. But it’s clear the Warriors value Bogut’s defence in the middle and his locker room presence.”

Golden State star Draymond Green was pretty pleased with Bogut’s signing when he was told of the move while talking to reporters.

“Oh s**t,” he laughed. “You see my reaction? I’m excited.

“I think it’ll be great for us to have Bogut back. We all know what Bogut brings to the table so I think overall it’ll help us, especially going down this stretch where it’s going to be a tough run.

“I know he’s going to contribute a lot in winning this championship.”

Draymond Green loving this Andrew Bogut signing pic.twitter.com/lHdur6SWsB

— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) March 6, 2019

The Aussie veteran won his only NBA title with the Warriors in 2015 but the team offloaded him to the Dallas Mavericks in 2016 to clear salary cap space to sign All-Star Kevin Durant.

Bogut then went to Cleveland but broke his leg less than a minute into his debut for the Cavaliers, before heading to LA to wear the famous Lakers jersey.

That was in 2017-18 and last year he made the decision to return home, opting to sign for Sydney over Melbourne. He made a huge impact for the Kings, guiding the team to the playoffs and winning the league MVP award.

However, the Kings fell just short of the final hurdle this year, and instead Melbourne will face the Perth Wildcats in the grand final.

Warriors’ two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry said he was excited at the prospect of having Bogut back in Oakland as the franchise charges towards a fourth title in five years. Curry and Bogut joined forces at the Warriors in 2012 and were key members in turning the team into a powerhouse that has dominated the NBA.

Bogut was a huge defensive presence on the floor for Sydney.

“It’s exciting, weird, a blast from the past; all that combined,” Curry said. “He’s a guy that we have a lot of experience with.

“He knows our system, he knows how we do things around here.

“He was instrumental in that turnaround to become a championship-calibre team.”

Before the move was made official Curry said while he knew NBA teams would be keen to sign Bogut he did not think the 34-year-old would be interested in leaving Australia.

“When his name came up I thought it was one-sided,” Curry said. “Like, ‘We’re familiar with him, we like him, let’s call him to see if he’s interested’.

“I didn’t get the mutual vibe and now it’s about to happen so it’s pretty cool.”

The Warriors’ core from 2015 — Curry, Green, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston — remain, but Bogut will likely come off the bench with the addition of All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins and Durant.

Curry said Bogut will bring toughness, a high IQ, rim protection and a dry sense of humour to the Warriors.

“There’s a whole bunch of one liners,” Curry, describing Bogut’s personality, said. “I’d call him cynical but it’s real entertaining.”

Originally published as Andrew Bogut is heading back to the NBA