Warriors sign controversial forward Anthony Lamb

The Golden State Warriors continued to churn through their training camp roster, signing former Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs forward Anthony Lamb to a training camp deal, after releasing Mac McClung.

Lamb, a 6’6” small forward out of the University of Vermont, signed a two-way deal with the Houston Rockets in March of 2021. He played 23 games for the Rockets that season, grabbing playing time after the team dealt away veterans like James Harden, P.J. Tucker, and Victor Oladipo. He averaged 5.5 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game.

Lamb earned the call-up and the two-way deal by averaging 18.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks for their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, where he won the G League’s Most Improved Player award. The Spurs signed Lamb to a ten-day contract last year under the COVID hardship exception, but he spent most of the year with the Vipers, helping them win the G League title and making the All-NBA G League third team.

But Lamb also has a sexual assault allegation in his past, from when he was a student at the University of Vermont.

No criminal charges were filed against Lamb, and we haven’t found any response from Lamb, the university, or any of his NBA employers. Still, it’s very troubling, and emblematic of the NBA’s generally terrible response to issues of sexual misconduct and violence against women. Look, Lamb is innocent until proven guilty, and he’s never been charged with a crime, and he’s unlikely to make the roster anyway. But couldn’t the Warriors could find a talented player without a rape allegation to bring to camp?

Two years ago, Lamb opened up to CBS about his struggles with mental health, including a suicide attempt, throughout his time at Vermont. It’s admirable that he is open about his struggles, but until he addresses the other dark moments from his past, should he really be playing in the NBA?