Playmaking Australian Lachlan Olbrich out to prove to Warriors he ‘belongs’ in NBA

LAS VEGAS – Lachlan Olbrich loves sharing the ball.

Ask him what it takes to be a willing and effective playmaker in the high post, and the 22-year-old center goes into a granularly detailed answer about the reads he makes at the top of the key.

In the Warriors’ system, long predicated on centers making quick reads on split cuts and handoffs, his passing ability really shines.

“They really value skilled bigs and they implement them in their offenses, so I get touches in the action and make reads, which is one of my strong suits,” Olbrich said.

It is all about adapting to changing circumstances, being able to assess an ever-shifting situation and making the best of it.

So it should come as no surprise that Olbrich has adapted well to his new reality as a summer league reserve for the Warriors.

Once considered part of the Bulls’ future after being selected in the second round of the 2025 draft by Chicago, he was let go this offseason.

New vice president of basketball Bryson Graham looked to reshape the roster and keeping Olbrich — who was drafted by Graham’s predecssor, Artūras Karnišovas — was not a priority.

Olbrich averaged just 2.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 37 appearances as a two-way player for the Bulls. Though he flashed talent – Olbrich had a triple-double in April – it was not enough to win over the new administration.

“I was almost expecting it just because of the management change,” Olbrich told the Bay Area News Group. “At the end of the day, it’s a business.”

Though his stay in the Windy City lasted only a year, the native of Adelaide, Australia developed a liking for the town.

“Living in a high-rise, having a really cool sunset view of the city skyline, all of that was pretty cool,” Olbrich said.

When looking at the opportunities available to him this summer, joining Golden State was an easy choice. The Warriors wanted him to play a part similar to a Hall of Famer Olbrich has long admired.

“Being the ultimate glue guy, connector guy, kind of what Draymond Green does with Golden State,” Olbrich said. “I’m just trying to be better in those areas, being able to defend all five positions is what I’m trying to get to, and just getting the ball from side to side.”

Olbrich credited a childhood spent playing volleyball with teaching him how to contest shots vertically without fouling, but defense is still an area of improvement for the young big man.

The offense is much further ahead, having averaged 12.8 points per game in five appearances thus far for the summer league Warriors.

“He gives us playmaking at the five, he’s a tougher rebounder and he’s like a quarterback behind the play with his communication with other defenders,” summer league coach Khalid Robinson said.

Earning a spot in the Warriors’ regular season rotation is a long shot, but Olbrich is a prime candidate to join the Santa Cruz G League team and develop under the tutelage of that arm of the Golden State organization.

And with a roster that features older frontcourt players such as Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and presumably Green, who is expected to re-sign as a free agent, even a G League player could see big minutes during the regular season.

“I want to show that I belong, and (I’m) trying to get that second contract and stay in the league as long as I can because I feel like I belong,” Olbrich said. “I’m just trying to prove to everyone else that I belong.”