How Andrew Bogut Changes the Trajectory of the Golden State Warriors Franchise

The Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks agreed to a five-player trade Tuesday involving Monta Ellis and Andrew Bogut.

Ellis, along with Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown, were sent to Milwaukee in exchange for Bogut and Stephen Jackson.

No, it isn't as big-time as a Dwight Howard for Andrew Bynum swap, but it's a trade worth talking about.

Ellis will provide a great deal of scoring to the Bucks lineup and should team with Brandon Jennings to form an exciting backcourt.

The Warriors may have lost a great scorer in Ellis, but they gained a quality center in Bogut, something the team has desperately needed for years. Bogut just might end up becoming the team's best true center since Robert "The Chief" Parish, back before he was traded to Boston in 1980.

Yeah, that was a long time ago.

Adding Bogut changes the trajectory of the Warriors franchise, which has reached the postseason only once since 1994.

Let's face it—Golden State just wasn't going anywhere playing small ball. And now with a seven-footer like Bogut—who can score, rebound, pass and block shots—the Warriors can become a perennial playoff team rather than a perennial NBA lottery participant. 

But in order for the Warriors to make that leap, they're going to need a healthy Bogut around. He's played in just 12 games this season due to an ankle injury and might not return to the court until next season.

Bogut's career has been plagued by injuries thus far. In fact, he's played in more than 70 games in a season just twice in his seven-year career.

But when healthy, Bogut is perhaps the league's best center not named Howard, Bynum or possibly Brook Lopez.  

Bogut's best season came in 2009-10 when he averaged 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks blocks per game (second in the league). And for his efforts, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team that year.

Bogut's top-notch defense is just what the Warriors need and is exactly what first-year head coach Mark Jackson is all about.

With a healthy Bogut as well as the likes of Stephen Curry, David Lee and youngster Klay Thompson, the Warriors could turn into one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference soon.