Warriors sign second-round pick Nico Mannion to two-way contract

After picking Nico Mannion at No. 48 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Warriors are signing the Arizona product to a two-way contract.

Before the team returns to the Bay Area for the start of preseason training camp, the Golden State Warriors are handling the last offseason orders of business.

After drafting Arizona product Nico Mannion with the No. 48 overall selection in the 2020 NBA draft, the Warriors are signing the second-round pick to a two-way contract. Over his first season in the NBA, the 19-year-old guard will spend time between Chase Center in San Francisco and Golden State’s G League affiliate in Santa Cruz.

Two-way contract players can spend up to 50 games with their NBA club. Unlike years of the past, travel and practice will not count as active days for service time on two-way deals.

With a bevy of injuries last season, the Warriors relied on two-way contract players like Damion Lee, Ky Bowman and Marquese Chriss.

Via @WarriorsPR on Twitter:

During his freshman season at Arizona, the 6-foot-3 point guard averaged 14.0 points on 39.2% shooting from the field with 5.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 32 games. On 5.1 long-distance attempts per game, Mannion averaged 32.7% shooting from beyond the arc.

When training camp kicks off, the former five-star recruit will likely compete for minutes behind Steph Curry in Golden State’s backcourt with Jordan Poole, Lee and newly signed free agent Brad Wanamaker.

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Warriors select Arizona’s Nico Mannion with No. 48 overall pick in 2020 NBA draft

With the No. 48 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors selected Arizona guard Nico Mannion in the second round.

After landing Memphis big man James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors turned their attention to the second round.

Following moves at last season’s trade deadline that involved Glenn Robinson III, Alec Burks and Willie Cauley-Stein, the Warriors picked up a pair of picks in the second round of the 2020 draft.

With their first pick in the second round, the Golden State Warriors selected Arizona’s Nico Mannion at No. 48 overall.

Via @warriors on Twitter:

In his freshman season at Arizona, the Italian-born point guard averaged 14.0 points on 39.2% shooting from the field with 5.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 32 games.

Following the pick, Steve Kerr chimed in on Twitter with a reaction to his fellow Arizona alum landing in the Bay Area.

Via @SteveKerr on Twitter:

The former McDonald’s All-American is a crafty passer that could thrive with shooters around him in Kerr’s offense. Mannion has the talent to hit a smooth floater in the lane and knock down a tough jumper off the dribble. As he develops his shooting ability behind Stephen Curry, Mannion could slide in as a playmaking point guard in Golden State’s second unit.

In Rookie Wire’s final draft big board, the Arizona Wildcats product landed at No. 42 overall.

Via Rookie Wire:

Arizona’s Nico Mannion had the second-best assist percentage (31.5%) among all high-major freshmen. But he shot just (26.0%) from 3-point range during his 19 games against top-100 competition. He was only 37.7% from 2-point range in February, raising concerns about his ability to score in the NBA.

As a high school player for Pinnacle in Arizona, Mannion was in the field for Curry’s SC30 Select Camp. 

Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:

Mannion’s former camp leader congratulated the new Golden State rookie with a message on Twitter. 

Via @StephenCurry30 on Twitter:

Golden State drafted Mannion’s father, Pace Mannion in the second round of the 1983 draft. The former Utah Ute played one season with the Warriors, averaging 2.1 points on 39.7% shooting from the field in 8.2 minutes per contest. After his stint in the Bay Area, Pace Mannion went on to play six seasons in the association.

Via @ESPNStatsInfo on Twitter:

With Jordan Poole, Ky Bowman and Damion Lee on the depth chart, Mannion provides Golden State another point guard to develop behind their two-time Most Valuable Player.

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