Warriors News: Zaza Pachulia to Join Organization as Consultant

Zaza Pachulia won two championships with the Golden State Warriors in 2016-17 and 2017-18, and the team announced Thursday that he will now join the front office as a consultant. 

Pachulia's addition was part of a larger announcement addressing several promotions, including Kirk Lacob to executive vice president of basketball operations and Mike Dunleavy Jr. to assistant general manager: 

Pachulia last played for the Detroit Pistons in 2018-19. The 35-year-old averaged 6.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 16 NBA seasons.

The Orlando Magic selected Pachulia with a second-round pick in 2003, and he spent the majority of his career with the Atlanta Hawks from 2005-06 to 2012-13. The 6'11" center also played in Milwaukee and Dallas.

In his two seasons with the Warriors, Pachulia averaged 5.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists across 139 games (127 starts). He then signed a one-year, $2.4 million free-agent contract with Detroit last July.

Even while with the Pistons last season, Pachulia kept connected to the Warriors by continuing his in-season dunk competition with All-Star guard Klay Thompson: 

"I feel like [Thompson] is my family member, seriously," Pachulia said in June 2018 after the Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers for their third title in four years (h/t KNBR's Brad Almquist). "Life still goes on after basketball. Friendship is forever. I believe that real friends, they stick together for the rest of their life. That’s what I am most proud of, what I am most happy about, to get to know these guys, especially Klay."

While Pachulia's NBA playing career is over, he now has the opportunity to continue working with his friends.