Tag: Warriors roster

Warriors add G League standout on Exhibit 10 contract

The Golden State Warriors have added the seven-foot big man on an exhibit 10 contract ahead of training camp.

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The Golden State Warriors have faced questions regarding their lack of size this summer. Trayce Jackson-Davis and Dario Saric are the two biggest players on the Golden States roster; both register at 6 feet, 10 inches. As such, the Warriors front office has reportedly extended an exhibit 10 contract to Jayce Johnson, a 7-foot center who led the G League in rebounds last season.

During a recent interview, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy hinted at how the front office is focused on adding skill rather than just size. However, Dunleavy stopped short of ruling out adding another big man.

“If you’re not skilled, and you’re just big, it’s going to be hard. Back 15 or 20, 30 years ago, it didn’t matter as much,” Dunleavy told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson. “The bigger guys always thrived because they were closer to the basket, and the game was different and all that well. Nowadays, if you’re big and you’re skilled, yeah, you’re gonna see MVPs — Giannis (Antetokounmpo) and (Joel) Embiid and Jokić, that will never change. It’s just the amount of guys that are big and skilled has.”

 

Golden State could use a big body to hang with Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic next season, even if it’s just to eat up minutes and absorb some contact.

As such, Johnson will now have an opportunity to impress Steve Kerr and the Warriors’ front office in the hopes of snagging a roster spot ahead of the new season. Otherwise, the glass-cleaning big man will likely be playing basketball in the G League again this season.

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Warriors rookie predicted to have a redshirt season

Brandin Podziemski could struggle to crack the Golden State Warriors rotation in his rookie season.

The Golden State Warriors drafted Brandin Podziemski with the 19th pick in the 2023 NBA draft.

However, the rookie guard’s route toward legitimate playing time quickly became complicated when Golden State acquired Chris Paul and Cory Joseph during the early stages of the offseason. Suddenly, Podziemski looks like he could be the latest Warriors draft addition to struggle for development minutes.

According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, Podziemski could undergo a redshirt season with the Warriors. With so much guard talent in front of him in Golden State’s rotation, it’s unlikely the rookie will earn any significant playing time and could be destined for a year in the G League as he continues to hone his craft.

“Chris Paul and the later signing of Cory Joseph may have blocked the 20-year-old from handling even emergency minutes in case of an injury,” Buckley wrote. “While his quick processing, shot-making, and secondary playmaking all feel like natural fits for this system, his athletic limitations were hard not to notice in summer league. Considering the athleticism will only elevate as he enters the “real” Association, this could easily become something akin to a redshirt season for the incoming rookie.”

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Podziemski played in all five of the Warriors’ summer league games in July, averaging 9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6 assists per game. However, the rookie struggled with his efficiency, hitting just 21.7% of his 3-point attempts and 26.3% of his shots from the field.

Given Golden State’s status as a contending team, Podziemski’s inefficient showings during the summer may have reduced potential opportunities for NBA playing time this season. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old could benefit from a year away from the limelight as he bids to improve his game and crack the rotation in the 2024-25 season.

 

D’Angelo Russell dishes on why he cooks the Warriors

The former Golden State Warriors guard believes his understanding of the team’s system makes him a threat when he plays against them.

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D’Angelo Russell spent half a season with the Golden State Warriors during the 2019-20 season before being sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the Andrew Wiggins trade. Since leaving Golden State, Russell has produced some impressive performances when facing his old team.

During a recent appearance on the “Pat Bev Podcast,” Russell was asked why he always seems to cook the Warriors when he faces them. The Los Angeles Lakers guard noted how it’s because he knows the team’s system and can predict their coverages and offensive sets, which gives him and his team an edge.

“I knew their system, honestly. When I got to play there, I was literally like, ‘I don’t know if imma be here, but I’m about to see everything they got going on as far as the way they play. What they go to in the last two minutes of the game. What plays they use to close the quarter out. How Steve is trying to manipulate the game. Like, I picked up all of that. … The little ins and outs of the game, that you don’t get to see, I was ready for.”

During the Warriors’ second-round playoff series against the Lakers last season, Russell averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 assists and 2.8 rebounds, shooting 31% from 3-point range and 45.6% from the field. Despite Russell’s struggles from the perimeter, his overall performances in that series did impress.

Nevertheless, Russell has likely put a target on his back for the next time he plays against Golden State, as the Warriors’ core will look to shut him down on offense while exploiting his defensive shortcomings. After all, there aren’t many teams as competitive as Golden State.

Report: Warriors adding Chuck Hayes to their front office

The Golden State Warriors are strengthening their front office team ahead of the new NBA season.

In what has been an active summer for the Golden State Warriors, it would appear Mike Dunleavy isn’t done making moves. This time, though, Golden State is adding fresh talent to its front office. According to a July 28 report by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Warriors are adding Chuck Hayes to their front office staff.

During his playing days, Hayes represented the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors, primarily operating as a defensive specialist at both the power forward and center positions. Since his retirement, Hayes has worked his way up the ranks from a pro player personnel scout. According to the Houston Chronicle, Hayes’ new role with the Warriors will be director of basketball operations.

“He said in a text message on Saturday that his new role with the Warriors will encompass some scouting at the professional and college levels but also “enhance my responsibilities with free agency and some trade strategy,”” Jonathan Feigen of the Chronicle reported.

Golden State already boasted an impressive front office filled with elite talent and bright basketball minds. However, it’s clear Mike Dunleavy and Joe Lacob are building toward another sustained period of success as their all-conquering core begins to enter the final phase of its careers.

Hayes will bring a keen eye for talent and a wealth of experience to his new role, which will only serve to make the Warriors more of a complete franchise.

Warriors could hold fire on Klay Thompson contract talks

The Golden State Warriors could wait until next summer before entering into contract negotiations with Klay Thompson, according to Mark Medina.

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After securing Draymond Green’s long-term future with the franchise, the Golden State Warriors will now turn their attention toward Klay Thompson. The veteran sharpshooter is entering the final year of his current five-year $189.9 million deal and will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024.

However, according to Mark Medina, who was speaking with Give Me Sport’s Kerrie Jacobs-Bryant, the Warriors will likely wait until the end of the 2023-24 season before discussing a new contract for Thompson. Medina also noted that if the Warriors choose to wait until after the upcoming season, they would follow a similar plan to the one they used with Green.

“I expect the Warriors to handle talks with Thompson the same way they did with Draymond Green last season,” Madina said. “They will let the season play out and see how Thompson performs. They then will sign him to another deal.”

Thompson has bounced back from two serious injuries and is once again performing at an elite level for the Warriors. If the former lottery pick can sustain the level of production he displayed last season, Golden State will almost certainly ensure he gets one final payday. Thompson will be 34 years old when he hits unrestricted free agency, yet we shouldn’t expect that to stop the Warriors from looking to secure his future.

Joe Lacob recently discussed his desire to keep the Warriors’ championship-winning core intact for the remainder of their careers during an interview with Madeline Kenny of The Mercury News.

“We’d like Steph, Draymond and Klay to retire as Warriors,” Lacob said. “That is my goal, our goal, and I think it’s a good likelihood that’ll happen.”

It would appear Thompson’s future with the Warriors is secure, yet if the franchise does decide to wait until next summer, we will likely see rampant speculation as to whether Thompson could be suiting up for a new team in 2024.

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Warriors veteran listed among NBA’s most underrated players

A recent article by Bleacher Report listed Kevon Looney among the most underrated players in the NBA.

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The Golden State Warriors roster is littered with future Hall of Fame talent. From Steph Curry to Draymond Green and now Chris Paul, Golden State has enjoyed an embarrassment of riches for over a decade. However, some role players can often get overlooked with so many elite players on the roster.

In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Grant Hughes noted how veteran big man Kevon Looney is among the most underrated players in the NBA, in no small part due to his presence on a roster teeming with All-Time greats. Looney is coming off an impressive season with the Warriors, where he participated in all 82 regular-season games and was present in all 13 playoff contests, too.

“It’s not just that Kevon Looney has more titles, two*, than any other active starting NBA center that makes him underrated,” Hughes wrote. “Any fair analysis of his game, ring count and impact must include the fact that he has spent his entire career with the Golden State Warriors surrounded by Hall of Fame talent.”

Looney has been with the Warriors since he was drafted with the 30th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. Throughout his eight-year tenure with Golden State, Looney has played a role on two championship-winning teams, with his most recent ring coming in 2022.

With two years remaining on his current $22.5 million contract, Looney could potentially enter free agency in 2025 with three championship rings to his name. Looney might not be a superstar big man or a borderline All-Star, but his style of play has helped the Warriors contend at the highest level throughout his career.

Some might underrate him, but it’s clear that Golden State knows what they have in Looney and may look to keep him around beyond his current deal.

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Report: Warriors unlikely to add another big man

The Golden State Warriors are likely to focus on other areas of the court with their final two roster spots.

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The Golden State Warriors still have two open roster spots to fill heading into training camp. Given their current cap situation, it’s highly likely that Mike Dunleavy will look to utilize veteran-minimum deals to round out his team’s roster before the new season begins.

Dunleavy recently spoke with C.J. Holmes of the San Francisco Chronicle regarding the remainder of free agency and touched upon why he doesn’t believe Golden State will be looking to add another big man. During the discussion, Dunleavy noted how he’s looking to add skill rather than size, which removes most available big men from the picture.

“If you have big guys who are uniquely skilled, who have a great feel for the game, who can play both ways like wings and guards, then there will be a renaissance,” Dunleavy said “But right now our game is so predicated on skill that if you don’t have the appropriate skill, it’s hard to dominate the game.”

Dunleavy continued by noting how the Warriors already have four players who can play the center position on their roster, all of who are classed as ‘skilled big men,’ and that the recent addition of Dario Saric eased the need for another center.

“We got four guys that can play center,” Dunleavy said. “Loon, Draymond, Trayce, Saric. So in this age in the NBA, I don’t know if you need more than that. All are highly skilled. They can all pass and make plays off the dribble, and can rebound. And Dario adds an element of shooting that we like. So I think we’re good in that area.”

Golden State has already rebuilt its guard rotation this summer, adding Chris Paul and Cory Joseph while sending out Jordan Poole. As such, it’s likely that Dunleavy will focus on additional wing players, most likely at either forward position.

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Report: Lester Quinones returns to Warriors on two-way contract

The Golden State Warriors have reportedly signed Lester Quinones to a two-way contract.

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After impressing the Golden State Warriors during Summer League, Lester Quinones will return to the team on another two-way contract, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported.

Quinones, 22, spent the majority of last season with the Warriors G-League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors. Quinones saw the court on 31 occasions in the G-League, averaging 21.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

“Guard Lester Quinones has agreed to return to the Golden State Warriors on a two-way NBA deal, per sources,” Charania Tweeted. “Quinones will enter training camp with a strong opportunity for full roster spot. He averaged 21.9 PPG, 4.4 APG and 4.1 RPG in seven Summer League games for the Warriors.”

During summer league, Quinones looked notably improved from the player we saw make four appearances with the Warriors in 2022-23. However, it was the young guard’s final games of the tournament that caught the eye of fans around the world, as he dropped 32 points on the Toronto Raptors. 

According to an anonymous executive, who spoke with Spotrac’s Keith Smith at Las Vegas Summer League, Golden State believes that both Quinones and Gui Santos are capable of earning a full-time roster spot in the coming years.

“Both Lester (Quinones) and Gui (Santos) have been our best guys in both Summer Leagues. Lester is probably better than his two-way status, but we’ll see if there is room. Gui could benefit from a step up in league. I think eventually both will find their way on our roster at some point.”

Quinones will now be hoping to continue his development in the G-League in the hope of earning some regular-season minutes with the Warriors and potentially earning himself a full-time contract next summer.

 

 

Warriors ‘need’ Jonathan Kuminga to take a bigger role in the rotation

According to a source who spoke with Spotrac’s Keith Smith, Jonathan Kuminga could be in line for a bigger role with the Golden State Warriors next season.

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Since being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2021, Jonathan Kuminga has been developed via a bench role in the rotation. However, with the Warriors revamping their rotation this summer and the team lacking in size, it would appear Kuminga is poised to assume a bigger role for the Warriors in the upcoming season.

According to a Golden State personnel member who spoke with Keith Smith of Spotrac at Summer League under the condition of anonymity, the Warriors are ready to give Kuminga the chance he’s been asking for and are ‘aware’ Kuminga has been wanting more playing time.

“We’re aware that Jonathan (Kuminga) wants to play more,” The source told Smith. “The chance will be there for him this season. We need him to be ready for a full rotation role in our frontcourt.”

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Kuminga has participated in 137 regular-season games for the Warriors, averaging 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, shooting 51.9% from the field and 35.3% from 3-Point range.

Now, as he enters the third year of his NBA career, Kuminga will get the chance to push for a starting role in the rotation. At 6’8”, the former G-League Ignite star will bring size and athleticism to an aging roster and will likely become one of their primary targets during fast break possessions, along with some baseline out-of-bounds plays.

Kuminga has remained patient since joining the Warriors, and now it would appear his patience is about to pay dividends. Golden State has done a good job of developing Kuminga away from the spotlight, and now, they likely feel he’s ready to begin proving why the front office selected him with their 7th overall pick in the 2018 draft.

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Report: Warriors to take closer look at former lottery pick

The former lottery pick has impressed with the Santa Cruz Warriors, and will now join the Golden State Warriors training camp roster.

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According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Golden State Warriors have extended a training camp invite to Jerome Robinson. For the past two seasons, Robinson has been playing for the Warriors G-League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, where the former 13th overall pick has impressed.

Last season, Robinson participated in 24 games for Santa Cruz, averaging 14.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.5% from 3-Point range.

The season prior, Robinson played in 22 games, putting up 20.2 points per game. Golden State’s current roster has two open spots, so Robinson will have an opportunity to earn himself an NBA contract if he can impress the coaching staff during training camp.

Robinson may face some stiff competition for a full-time roster spot with the Warriors. During NBA Summer League, both Lester Quinones and Gui Santos flashed legitimate improvements in their games and could push to have their two-way status converted into a full-scale NBA contract. According to a team personnel member who spoke with Spotrac’s Keith Smith, the Warriors believe both Summer League standouts will eventually find a role for themselves on the roster.

“Both Lester (Quinones) and Gui (Santos) have been our best guys in both Summer Leagues,” The personnel member told Smith. “Lester is probably better than his two-way status, but we’ll see if there is room. Gui could benefit from a step up in league. I think eventually both will find their way on our roster at some point.”

The Warriors have already improved their roster during the off-season, adding Chris Paul, Cory Joseph, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Dario Saric. Mike Dunleavy also secured the long-term future of Draymond Green.

As such, the Warriors will likely be looking to utilize veteran minimum contracts to help round out the end of their bench, as Golden State’s ownership group already faces the prospect of paying a record amount in luxury tax fees. While Golden State’s fans will be hoping the new look roster can bring another championship back to the Chase Center.

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