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Warriors blew their chance at potential Rookie of the Year, Kendrick Nunn

By Tony Pesta

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 31: Kendrick Nunn #25 of the Miami Heat attempts a shot against De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks in the first half at State Farm Arena on October 31, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 31: Kendrick Nunn #25 of the Miami Heat attempts a shot against De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks in the first half at State Farm Arena on October 31, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors could have had the potential Rookie of the Year, Kendrick Nunn, on their roster this season.

The basketball gods have not been too kind to the Golden State Warriors in recent months. Unbelievable injuries to Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry have ravaged the Warriors roster. This is made worse by the fact that Kendrick Nunn, former Santa Cruz Warriors member, is on pace to win Rookie of the Year.

Through five games, Nunn is averaging 22.4 points per game on an incredible 51.8 percent shooting from the field. He has hit 15-of-31 attempts from deep and is a perfect 9-for-9 at the free-throw line.

No rookie since Durant in the 2007-08 season has scored more points than Nunn in their first five NBA games. This is made more impressive when you consider that Nunn went undrafted this year.

Nunn played college basketball at Oakland University and went mostly under the radar. Of course, the Santa Cruz Warriors (The Warriors G-League affiliate) noticed Nunn.

For 49 games, Nunn played in the G-League, averaging 19.3 points and 1.5 steals per game. His nightly performances caught the attention of NBA scouts but didn’t earn him a selection in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Now, Golden State must be kicking themselves. The Dubs desperately needed depth at the guard position and will be suffering mightly without Curry.

Nunn would have filled in beautifully in Curry’s absence. His efficiency as a deep shooter leads us to think he can thrive in the Warriors pace-and-space style. Unfortunately, the Warriors blew their chance at watching Nunn suit up for the franchise.

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As the Warriors move forward into a rebuilding process, they must watch as one of their G-League players grow into a Rookie of the Year candidate with a different team. Though it has only been five games, Nunn looks poised for a successful first season in the NBA. If only it was for Golden State rather than the Miami Heat.

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