Golden State Warriors: Searching for their other two-way player

The Golden State Warriors have space for another two-way contract. Who will earn the chance to compete with the Dubs this season?

After selecting Nico Mannion 48th overall the Golden State Warriors immediately announced him as one of their two-way players this season. The question is who will the second two-way player be?

The NBA relaxed its two-way rules heading into the coronavirus impacted season with two-way players now eligible to play 50 of the 72 games, which proves ideal for the Warriors.

Unlike the majority of teams, the Warriors will be left with just a 13 man roster unofficially with Klay Thompson set to miss the entire season and Alen Smailgacic unlikely to play a major rotation role this season.

Therefore the Dubs will be relying on minutes from both of their two-way stars this season. Mannion is expected to play a role, a minimal one but a role nevertheless. The question is who will be the other two-way player.

In all likelihood, the Warriors have two players fighting for that second two-way deal: Dwayne Sutton and Kaleb Wesson.

Sutton established himself as a two-way wing who can shoot, rebound and hustle during his three years at Louisville after transferring from UNC Asheville.

In his final year with the Cardinals, Sutton averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from downtown. Sutton earned an All-ACC honorable mention in the process.

The Warriors have limited depth on the wing, and adding the 22-year-old to a two-way will provide the Dubs will further depth at the wing position.

Sutton will likely compete with Juan Toscano or Mychal Mulder for minutes behind Bazemore, Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre. Sutton appears to be the likeliest to earn the second deal, but that is far from guaranteed with Wesson breathing down his neck.

Wesson, 21, adds a different dimension. The young big averaged 14.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.0 block per game for the Ohio State Buckeyes last season.

The young big with a 6-foot-9 frame and weighing in at 270 pounds is not only a solid interior presence but can seemingly stretch the floor offensively.

Wesson demonstrated the ability to shoot from long distance during his time in college, making 42.9 percent of his 3.4 attempts from deep in his final college season.

Although Wesson may never become an elite rim protector like Rudy Gobert, he has good awareness, understands defensive positioning, and has enough size to help protect the rim even if he’s not a high-level shot-blocker. The big also spent his time in Columbus as the Buckeyes defensive and offensive anchor.