The one positive to come out of injuries to Stephen Curry and D’Angelo Russell has been more opportunities for Golden State Warriors two-way guard, Ky Bowman.
Bowman signed a two-way contract to split time with Golden State and their G League affiliate the Santa Cruz Warriors after going undrafted out of Boston College. However, the rookie is quickly moving towards a guaranteed contract inside the association.
Bowman’s played in all 16 of the Warriors games so far this season and is averaging 7.6 points and 2.3 assists. Bowman’s seen the lion’s share of minutes at point guard during Golden State’s recent road swing while Russell deals with a sprained thumb, and Draymond Green nurses a sore heel.
In that time, Bowman has stepped up for the injury-ravaged Warriors, averaging 13.8 points, 4.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals in four games.
What’s been most impressive about Bowman’s game in that time is his ability to take the care of the basketball. He’s only turned the ball over once over during Golden State’s recent four-game stretch.
Bowman’s shown complete control of Steve Kerr’s offense while having to guard players like Mike Conley, Luka Doncic and Ja Morant on the defensive end.
Ky crossover đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/jLi1q0eXun
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 23, 2019
Kerr had high praise for the undrafted 22-year old rookie after the Warriors 113-109 loss in Utah.
“All we can do is keep giving him the opportunity, and he’s seizing it,” said the coach of Golden State. “It’s a great opportunity for him as well as our other young players— In a season that’s obviously disappointing in terms of the wins and losses, there’s a lot of individual battles to be won and a guy like Ky Bowman is playing for his career and so for him to get this opportunity and seize it and play well and show the league what he’s about it’s fantastic.”
Steve Kerr on two-way contract point guard Ky Bowman: “I want to keep him.” pic.twitter.com/s2JeyrRuTj
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 23, 2019
Players signed to two-way contracts can spend a maximum of 45-days on an NBA roster meaning Bowman’s days are currently numbered with Golden State, unless they can find a way to add him to their roster for the remainder of the season.
The Dubs will have to get creative if they plan on keeping Bowman around, as they are currently hard-capped with their salary. Regardless of the cap situation, Kerr is making it clear he wants Bowman to stay with the Warriors.
“Obviously, I want to keep him. I think we feel really strongly about that,” said Kerr. “But if we can’t, I’m really happy he’s shown what he can do and shown he belongs in the NBA.”
Russell is slated to miss a couple more games with his sprained thumb, giving Bowman more time to capitalize on the opportunity he’s getting with Golden State.
Ky Bowman is on a two-way contract. That is wild. It’s hard to make the NBA pic.twitter.com/4DYyUzKmFv
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) November 23, 2019
The Warriors have been successful developing guards off the bench in the past. Ian Clark, Kent Bazemore and Quinn Cook all went on to sign lucrative NBA contracts after time in Golden State, and Bowman could be the next.