Golden State Warriors: Expectations for Each Young Bench Player

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 24: Alen Smailagic #6, Jordan Poole #3, and Eric Paschall #7 of the Golden State Warriors pose for a photograph during a press conference on June 24, 2019 at Rakuten Performance Center in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Alen Smailagic: Make the Active Roster

Alen Smailagic’s highlight reel of players has largely been regulated to either the G-League with the Santa Cruz Warriors, or with the Warriors Summer League team. Smailagic brings an intriguing potential, but his game is undoubtedly raw, not surprising given that he is just 19 years old.

The hard cap situation makes it difficult for the Warriors to add a 15th and final player on the roster, and as a result, Smailagic will likely see plenty of time in Santa Cruz this season. But if he wants to say anything different about that, his goal should be to make the active roster.

Injuries (like the one suffered by Willie Cauley-Stein) create opportunities for young pieces to get valuable playing time. Should more occur or if players like Alfonzo Mckinnie or Damion Lee struggle, Smailagic must make the most out of them.

Next. Warriors: 2019-20 season is a fresh start. dark

If he is able to break into the lineup, Smailagic will become a huge help to the Warriors. Finding a way to traverse through the season is going to be tough but having additional players such as Smailagic to step in and be trusted to play occasional minutes will be beneficial.

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