Warriors' Kyle Anderson takes on advantageous role of small-ball center – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

Kyle Anderson is ready to take on whatever role the Warriors ask of him this season.

The 31-year-old two-way forward signed a three-year, $27 million contract with Golden State this offseason and is expected to play a large role in coach Steve Kerr's rotations during the 2024-25 NBA season.

In an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Bay Area's Kerith Burke at Warriors Media Day, Anderson shared that while his new coaching staff hasn't discussed a specific role with him yet, he knows what the team expects from him.

“I haven't talked to them much about it. I'm sure I'll do that in the next few days, but I think at this point in my career they know what I bring to the table,” Anderson told Burke. “Just a guy that can run an offense, defend a lot of positions and do things like that. I think they know what I bring to the table.”

In ten NBA seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves, Anderson primarily switched between the small and power forward positions, occasionally playing the role of small ball center.

He believes the league's shift toward positionless basketball has benefited him as an established, versatile player who was once considered a “tweener.”

“I think just having guys like me play at number four has worked hugely in my favor,” Anderson explained. “It kind of created a position for guys like Draymond (Green) and myself who might be too small or too big to play on the wing, so I think the game certainly turned in my favor.”

Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney will be the Warriors' primary centers this season, but Anderson is ready to embrace the physicality of the role if the Warriors need him at five-man from time to time.

“I love it, I think I can do a good job in the defensive center of the league and I think it's an advantage for us on offense because we have to set up screens and play in the pocket, grab a rebound and “The break in the offense,” Anderson said. “I love it.”

However, Anderson believes the NBA is putting more emphasis on size again, something the Warriors haven't had much of in recent years.

“I think a little. I think you have to have a little bit of size to win in today's game,” Anderson explained. “Boston was capable of doing it, and Golden State in 2022, but I think here and there (Nikola) Jokić, (Joel) Embiid, these guys are showing that big guys can do it too.”

It remains to be seen exactly how the Warriors will use Anderson this season, but the veteran will be ready to do whatever the team asks of him.

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