Veteran big allowing Golden State Warriors to be patient with crucial roster spot
In a rough first year with the Golden State Warriors, veteran big man JaMychal Green is now in the best stretch of his 2022-23 season. After time out of the rotation and a stint sidelined by Covid then a nasty leg infection, the 32-year-old is finally showing why the franchise was keen to sign him during the offseason.
It’s a timely return to form not only for Green individually, but his impressive recent play may also alter multiple layers of the front office’s decision-making over the next few weeks.
JaMychal Green’s improved production has allowed the Golden State Warriors to preserve the 50-game limit of forward Anthony Lamb.
Anthony Lamb has played 42 of a possible 50 while on a two-way contract, but he’s been active for Golden State’s past three games as the franchise looks to extend the time in which they have to make a decision on him.
Green’s form allows the Warriors to continue to sit Lamb should they wish. In six games since returning from illness on January 20, he’s averaged ten points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 61.1% from the floor and 53.3% from three-point range (2.5 attempts per game).
Green’s an important player for the Warriors for multiple reasons. Not only does he provide them with a third string center behind his namesake Draymond Green and also Kevon Looney, but when his three-point shot is working, he’s capable of playing next to one of them in much the same way Lamb was.
Even more paramount though, Green is giving Steve Kerr an extra body that he can put out there during this the arduous period of the season ahead of All-Star weekend. Golden State have had multiple games where they’ve gone just eight deep into the rotation, and now Green is presenting as that important ninth man who can play between 10-20 minutes.
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It can’t be understated how precarious Green’s position on the Warriors was before this latest stretch. If the franchise needed to waive someone to create a roster spot then he looked like the one who may be most vulnerable. Now, in less than a fortnight, he’s transformed into a crucial player of Golden State’s run for the postseason.