After bouncing around the NBA through his first four seasons in the association, the emergence of Marquese Chriss was a highlight of the Golden State Warriors 2019-20 campaign.
While the team struggles to produce wins due to injuries to Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, Chriss quickly developed into a key piece of Golden State’s new-look rotation.
Following an invite to Golden State’s 2019 training camp, the former lottery pick quickly developed into one of the better stories of Golden State’s 2019-20 season. The Washington Huskies product turned a two-way contract into a two-year deal with the Warriors.
Chriss registered 21 starts for the Warriors in 2019-20, averaging 9.3 points on 54.5% shooting from the field with 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Heading into the 2020-21 season, Chriss was expected to play a role in Golden State’s frontcourt alongside Kevon Looney and rookie James Wiseman.
However, a broken leg ended his 2020-21 run after two games. At the 2021 trade deadline, the Warriors traded Chriss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Before the 2021-22 season, Chriss is reportedly headed back to the Pacific Northwest. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the former Warriors big man has agreed to a non-guaranteed deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Via @ShamsCharania on Twitter:
Free agent C/F Marquese Chriss has agreed to a non-guaranteed deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Chriss has fully recovered from broken leg last December and will compete for a roster spot in Blazers' camp.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 4, 2021
Chriss will compete with players like Cody Zeller, Jusuf Nurkic, Larry Nance Jr. and Robert Covington for a spot in Portland’s frontcourt.
Since being drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, the 24-year-old has averaged eight points on 45.5% shooting from the floor with 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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