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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.”
The Golden State Warriors are signing the NBA G League’s top rebounder Jayce Johnson on a training camp Exhibit 10 deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The 7-foot center averaged nearly 6 PPG and 7 RPG in July Summer League, and will compete for a two-way slot in camp.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 10, 2023
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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