Dub Hub, Daily Warriors Links for 2/21/23: What will the Warriors do with their final roster spot?

Good Morning Dub Nation,

After making a trade deadline deal for Gary Payton II, many fans anticipated that the Golden State Warriors would be active in the buyout market in hopes that the team would make use of their 15th and final roster spot. However, several rumored buyout candidates for the Warriors have recently signed with new teams leaving very few viable remaining options.

The chances that the Warriors would sign someone in the buyout market were always going to be slim. That being said, the most likely scenario for the final roster spot would be the team elevating either one of their two-way players between Anthony Lamb and Ty Jerome.

Both players have surpassed the expectations of their two-way roles this season. Specifically, Lamb and Jerome have each provided valuable minutes whenever injuries have hit Golden State the hardest this season and have looked solid when given the opportunity. In 43 games played this season, Lamb is averaging 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds on 40.0% shooting from three, while Jerome – in 36 games played – is averaging 7.2 points and 2.9 assists with a 51.3% field goal percentage.

However, with 24 regular season games remaining, the Warriors will be forced into making a decision soon. NBA rules state that players on two-way contracts are only allowed to appear in 50 games before a team must decide whether to elevate that player or waive them from their roster. This means Golden State will be forced into choosing between the two for their final roster spot unless they decide to open an additional one by waiving another player. In his latest article for the San Francisco Chronicle, C.J. Holmes dives deeper on the topic, making the case for keeping each player.

Via San Francisco Chronicle:

Jerome is proficient in pick-and-roll sets and creating within the offense, which allows Jordan Poole and Donte DiVincenzo to play more off the ball. His skill set has been even more valuable with Curry out, as it gives Golden State a true reserve point guard (behind Poole) who can settle the team down and get them into the offense.

But that’s also an issue with keeping Jerome. When Curry returns, Poole will likely return to the reverse guard role, which pushes Jerome further down a depth chart already littered with guards.

In some ways, converting Lamb makes more sense. He’s a bigger body, and his size makes him a better rebounder and a more versatile defender. While he’s not the playmaker that Jerome is, he’s a capable passer who shoots the 3-pointer well.

Holmes goes on to say that neither player is expected to be a significant factor in the playoffs but will still be nice to have for depth reasons. Although this may not seem like a major move for the Warriors, it will be an important decision in the short-term as they continue to fight for a playoff spot in the tightly packed Western Conference standings.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• 2023 All-Star Game called the ‘worst basketball game ever played’
• Draymond Green grills Ja Morant at All-Star Game
• Gui Santos represented at G League Next Up Game
• 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend schedule of events
• ESPN releases the latest version of their MVP straw poll

Other Warriors News:

• Warriors’ two-way conversion dilemma: Ty Jerome or Anthony Lamb? (San Francisco Chronicle)
• How Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks channel Warriors in NBA championship pursuit (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Steph Curry more revolutionary than Patrick Mahomes, Stephen A. Smith says (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Damian Lillard Talks ‘On Point’ Blazers Staff After Gary Payton II Trade Saga (SB Nation)
• Warriors Nominated for Laureus World Sports Award Team of the Year Honor (NBA)

NBA News:

• Free agent guard Patrick Beverley finalizing deal with Bulls (ESPN)
• Miami Heat officially sign Kevin Love, Cody Zeller (ESPN)
• Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo avoids serious wrist injury, will return when swelling subsides: Sources (The Athletic)
• Report: Bucks signing Meyers Leonard, who hasn’t played since uttering antisemitic slur in 2021 (Yahoo Sports)
• A nuanced look at Russell Westbrook’s fit with Clippers (SB Nation)