The Golden State Warriors are among 18 teams with an open roster spot. The Warriors are also among the six teams that will need to add at least one player before the NBA All-Star break concludes. Who are the Warriors interested in?
Warriors Fill One Open Roster Spot With Pat Spencer, Reportedly Among Teams Eyeing Veteran Free Agent Point Guard
Golden State enters tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers extremely shorthanded. The Warriors have ruled out five of their 16 active players, with Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis among those ruled out. Of the players ruled out, four are capable ballhandlers, though, on the positive, Brandin Podziemski is probable after dealing with an illness.
Those injuries leave the Warriors shorthanded in the backcourt with Pat Spencer, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton Jr., Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, and Draymond Green as players who can initiate the offense. Melton and Spencer are the only true point guards of the bunch.
Steph Curry is also projected to miss the Warriors’ final two games before the All-Star break, as is Seth Curry. As a result of the injuries — both Curry brothers and Melton are injury-prone — the Warriors are possibly looking for backcourt help.
What Will The Warriors Do With The Open Roster Spots?
According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors are going to fill one of the open spots with Spencer. Fischer added that the Warriors are also interested in signing free agent Lonzo Ball.
“As the Warriors are working to convert two-way guard Pat Spencer to a roster spot, Golden State also has its sights set on adding Lonzo Ball via the buyout market, sources say, Fischer tweeted.
Utah waived Ball on February 5th after the Jazz acquired him along with future second-round selections from Cleveland. Fellow NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that Ball is expected to land in the Western Conference. However, the Warriors are not the only team pursuing Ball, as the Denver Nuggets are a potential landing spot for the 28-year-old, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
“As the NBA buyout market takes shape, league sources told ClutchPoints, Siegel tweeted earlier this afternoon. “That two teams have emerged as serious suitors for Lonzo Ball: the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets. Both teams are looking to add an experienced ball-handler in their backcourt.”
Patrick Breen, Arizona Republic via Imagn Images
