The Golden State Warriors have 13 players on standard contracts and must add another player before Opening Night. Per League rules, teams must have 14 players on standard contracts. There are consequences for teams that don’t carry fewer than a full 15-player roster. The Warriors figure to carry 14 players as they are over the NBA’s second tax apron.
NBA Rumors: Warriors Still Looking To Add Big Man, More Options Are Popping Up Daily
Besides the 13 players on standard contracts, Golden State has reached an agreement with Donovan Williams on a training camp deal. The Warriors also have an agreement with Usman Garuba on a two-way deal. Garuba is the second player on a two-way contract with the Dubs. Lester Quinones is the other player on a two-way deal.
If the Warriors have fewer than 15 players on standard contracts, they’ll only be able to use their two-way players for up to 90 combined games. However, if the Warriors go with a full 15-man roster at any point, it would create more options off the bench. Two-way players are each eligible to appear in up to 50 games.
Golden State has brought in several veterans for a workout over the last month or so. These players have been both wings and bigs. It seems like the Warriors have been linked to a different player daily recently. Whoever the Warriors sign, they can only make the veteran’s minimum.
Tony Bradley is the Latest Player the Warriors have Been Linked To
Golden State has been rumored to be interested in signing another big ever since they signed Dario Saric to a one-year deal in mid-July. However, the Warriors have missed out on all those players, with JaVale McGee and Harry Giles being among the players who have signed elsewhere.
More recently, the Warriors have been linked to Tony Bradley, Dwight Howard, Derrick Favors, and Dewayne Dedmon.
According to Shams Charania yesterday, Bradley is the player to watch as the Warriors are actively considering signing the 26-year-old center.
“I’m told Dwight Howard will meet with Warriors team officials here soon, those meetings will include decision-makers…”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on Howard, Tony Bradley and Dewayne Dedmon among others being considered by the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/3pk8AiKdv9
— Stadium (@Stadium) September 15, 2023
Bradley has spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. However, Bradley saw just 33 minutes of action over 12 games last season before the Bull waived him in February.
Bradley is an athletic big body and an excellent finisher around the hoop. While Bradley can knock down an occasional 3-pointer, his effectiveness is generally limited to the paint. He is a good defender and rim protector.
But rebounding is what Bradley does best. Bradley has a career offensive rebounding percentage of 15.5 and a defensive rebound percentage of 24.5. Overall, He holds career averages of 4.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 179 career games since being selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft.
Golden State to Meet With Dwight Howard This Week
Charania reported on Friday that the Warriors will meet with Howard next week. The Athletic’s Anthony Slater believes that Howard also can earn a contract with the Dubs.
Warriors have brought in a ton of veteran bigs for workouts the last several weeks. Dwight Howard is highest upside candidate on the non-guaranteed flyer front. Will depend on his mindset in meetings with team’s decision makers/veterans. He’s a real option. https://t.co/SOLpfbw096
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) September 15, 2023
Howard spent last season playing in Taiwan. The eight-time all-star was dominant in Taiwain, compiling 23.3 points and 16.2 rebounds in 20 appearances. The 38-year-old center also doled out five assists and blocked 1.2 blocks while shooting 50.9% from the field. He totaled 17 double-doubles and scored in double-figures all 20 games.
Howard has not been a full-time NBA player since 2017-18. Still, Howard is elite around the rim, especially on the backboards. He averaged 6.2 points on 61.2% shooting and 5.9 rebounds in 60 appearances in 2021-22 for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dewayne Dedmon and Derrick Favors Have Recently Worked Out For Warriors
Dedmon and Favors have been among the players who have worked for the Warriors recently.
Dedmon is a 10-year veteran who is very limited offensively, though he is an exceptional rebounder and shot-blocker. He is also a hard-nosed, physical, low-post defender. Dedmon tallied 5.2 points on 50% shooting and 3.2 boards in 38 games for Miami and Philadelphia last year.
Favors is a 12-year vet who was out of the league last year. Like the other bigs, he excels on the glass and as a rim-protector. However, he is a better shooter than the other three bigs.
Kent Bazemore, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Will Barton, Jaylen Nowell, and Stanley Johnson have also been in the Bay Area for workouts. Glenn Robinson III, Tony Snell, Dion Waiters, and Trey Burke are others who have garnered workouts.
