Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 1/9/23: Should the Warriors guarantee Anthony Lamb’s contract?

Good Morning Dub Nation,

Over the weekend, the Golden State Warriors suffered their second loss of this eight-game homestand after the Orlando Magic beat them, 115-101. The Warriors never got into a rhythm in this one as poor shooting, careless turnovers, and bad defense doomed them throughout the night.

The most notable news from this game came before it even started. Klay Thompson, who was announced with the usual starting lineup, was ruled out seconds before tip-off due to what was later revealed to be left-knee soreness — the same knee which he previously had surgically repaired. Fortunately, head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the game that Thompson was pulled out as a precaution.

To fill the void in offensive firepower left by Thompson’s absence, Golden State turned to an unlikely hero for scoring as two-way player Anthony Lamb led the team with 22 points in the first half. He finished the game with a career-high 26 points on 9-of-20 shooting from the field, including five threes.

Lamb has been a pleasant surprise for the Warriors this season. However, the fact that he is on a two-way contract means he is only allowed to play 50 games for the team before they have to guarantee his contract. Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area wrote about Lamb’s situation in one of his latest articles.

Via NBC Sports Bay Area:

A player signed to a two-way contract is permitted to being on a team’s active list for no more than 50 games during the regular season and cannot appear in playoff games. That means even if Lamb or Jerome is suited up for a game and doesn’t see the court, it still counts against the limit.

Lamb already has played in 31 games this season, and Jerome has appeared in 23. Jerome also has two games where he was active but didn’t play, putting his number at 25. To put everything into perspective, the Warriors have played 39 games this season and still have another 43 to go.

Lamb has given the team valuable depth as the Warriors continue to navigate through the injury woes that have hindered their roster. Golden State does have a roster spot open, but it remains to be seen if they will give that spot to Lamb or reserve it for another move further down the line.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• Magic take advantage of the Warriors’ leaky perimeter defense and fatigued backline
• Warriors lose 115-101 in lifeless performance against Magic
• Andre Iguodala announces his season debut
• January 6 podcast
• Warriors owner Joe Lacob discusses payroll, roster, James Wiseman, and more

Other Warriors News:

• Steve Kerr knows Warriors have tough Anthony Lamb, Ty Jerome decisions (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Thompson (knee) a late scratch as Warriors lose to Magic (ESPN)
• Thompson: Warriors’ home setback makes one thing clear — they need more (The Athletic)
• Warriors need an in-rhythm Andrew Wiggins back as soon as possible (The Athletic)
• Steve Kerr humorously hopes Joe Lacob buys Athletics after Warriors success (NBC Sports Bay Area)

NBA News:

• LeBron James is tired of waiting for Lakers moves: What our walk-and-talk chat revealed (The Athletic)
• Latest NBA Trade Buzz: Keep Eyes on Small-Market Teams with Money to Burn (Bleacher Report)
• Is Anthony Edwards’ immense talent ready to fulfill the burden of Minnesota’s great expectations? (Yahoo Sports)
• Kevin Durant opens up about trade request, tanking, fans and free agency (ESPN)
• Kevin Durant to undergo MRI after injuring knee vs. Heat (ESPN)