Gary Payton II turned an unlikely X-factor for the Warriors final season.
After initially being waived, Payton earned the fifteenth and last roster spot on Golden State earlier than opening evening and performed his approach into a serious pay elevate this offseason.
May this 12 months’s coaching camp roster comprise the subsequent Payton?
The Warriors have 13 gamers signed for this season and have reserved their 14th spot for Andre Iguodala if he decides to return. Whether or not Golden State, proprietor of the league’s highest payroll, selected to fill their fifteenth opening might be decided in coaching camp, which opens Saturday.
Right here’s a take a look at the six potential candidate vying for that final spot:
Two-way contracts
Quinndary Weatherspoon turned heads along with his spectacular protection towards Klay Thompson because the Warriors star labored his approach again from his most up-to-date harm. That earned him a 10-day deal, which changed into a two-way alternative that landed him on the bench all through the Warriors’ championship run. He appears the most probably to earn a everlasting spot on the roster given his defensive talents and the way in which he’s improved his offense.
Lester Quiñones signed a two-way cope with the Warriors after going undrafted out of Memphis, the place he was teammates and roommates with James Wiseman for a 12 months. Quiñones has a shot at cracking the NBA roster this season, however nonetheless has areas of his sport he must develop.
Coaching-camp offers
Jerome Robinson averaged 20.2 factors with the Santa Cruz Warriors final season however hasn’t been capable of replicate his taking pictures from 3-point land that he had at Boston Faculty that helped him change into the thirteenth total decide from the 2018 NBA draft. He’s a longshot to make the opening evening roster.
Mac McClung is coming off a formidable displaying at summer time league for the Warriors. The 2022 G League Rookie of the Yr might need the very best shot at incomes a spot within the NBA, however that might rely on second-round decide Ryan Rollins, who missed the summer time motion and hadn’t been cleared for contact earlier this month because of a foot harm.
Exhibit 10 contracts
Pat Spencer averaged 6.5 factors and 4 assists per sport with the Wizards’ summer time league group after spending final season with their G League affiliate. His school lacrosse star turned basketball participant makes for a great story, nevertheless it’s extra doubtless he’ll return to the G League to develop his sport.
Trevion Williams was topped the Large Ten’s Sixth Man of the Yr award final season and performed nicely this summer time, averaging 7.4 factors and 6.6 rebounds. He’s one other participant who’ll get the possibility to develop within the G League.
Notice: The Warriors on Wednesday signed Dusty Hannahs to an Exhibit 10 contract with the intention of waiving him so he will be added to their G League roster. The transfer has no affect on the open roster spot for Iguodala, who has but to determine whether or not he’ll return or retire.