Golden State Warriors: GM Bob Myers may be proven right on controversial calls

Two-way contracted players may factor in as a team’s last two players on their roster, but they do provide a valuable resource that can be utilised during the long, arduous periods of an NBA season. It’s for that reason fans were left scratching their heads when the Golden State Warriors made a couple of surprising calls on their two-players just before the start of the season.

The franchise had previously signed 21 year-old guard Lester Quinones and 26-year-old wing Quinndary Weatherspoon as the team’s two-way players during training camp. But following preseason, the franchise and general manager Bob Myers backflipped and instead decided for fourth-year guard Ty Jerome and third-year forward Anthony Lamb.

The decision was met with confusion among fans, particularly regarding Weatherspoon who had shown positive signs in his brief moments last season. It made ‘ring night’ all the more awkward when Weatherspoon had to accept his championship ring, alongside his former teammates, in street clothes.

Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers may be proven correct on the controversial decision to cut Quinndary Weatherspoon in favour of Ty Jerome and Anthony Lamb.

Despite their contentious additions, Jerome and Lamb have played well in limited minutes this season, highlighted by excellent performances in the Warriors loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.

Jerome controlled the offense for large periods, recording 18 points, six rebounds and five assists in his 32 minutes. Lamb played 37 minutes and went 4-for-6 from three-point range, totalling 16 points to go with three rebounds and three steals. The pair were acknowledged, alongside second-year lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, as being the Warriors better contributors according to head coach Steve Kerr.

In the absence of Donte DiVincenzo through injury, Jerome has now played in at least 13 minutes across each of the Warriors past five games. It may have taken a while for the fanbase to warm to him, but recent performances have shown Jerome does hold a worthy spot at the Warriors.

The 6’5″ guard is shooting 57.1% from the field and 40% from three-point range, while his assist-to-turnover differential of over 4:1 is proof of his consistent playmaking capacity. They’re the kind of numbers that if sustained over the course of a season, could force the Warriors’ hands into converting him to a standard contract and into their vacant 15th roster spot.

Quinones has remained with Golden State’s G-League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, while recent reports suggest Weatherspoon may be headed to play in China.