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Anthony Lamb’s two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors is over

By Gibson Lowenberg

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 25: Anthony Lamb #40 of the Golden State Warriors looks on in the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on January 25, 2023 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 25: Anthony Lamb #40 of the Golden State Warriors looks on in the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on January 25, 2023 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Under NBA rules, a player on a two-way contract “may be active for up to 50 games with their NBA team.” Unfortunately, in the Golden State Warriors’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Anthony Lamb played his 50th game of the season with the team.

Lamb has been a huge pickup for the Warriors this season, making up for the loss of Otto Porter Jr and filling his spot in the rotation almost perfectly. He is a combo forward who can shoot and finish at the rim while playing solid defense as well.

With his 50-game two-way limit now over, the Golden State Warriors need to make a decision on the future of Anthony Lamb.

Being used as a bail out option, many of his shots come at the end of the shot clock. Almost all of which are three-point attempts where he’s shot 37.9% so far this season. In his final NBA game on a two-way contract this year, Lamb posted six points, six rebounds and two assists. He made two of his five shots, both of which were from three-point range. The Warriors were a much better unit with him on the floor, demonstrated by a team-high +17 plus/minus.

Anthony Lamb’s two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors ended on Sunday. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Anthony Lamb’s two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors ended on Sunday. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Golden State need to convert his contract to a fully guaranteed NBA deal should they wish to retain him. That’s a move that adds to their luxury tax bill — the primary reasons they’ve left the 15th spot on the roster vacant all season.

Lamb has proven that he deserves a full contract as he fills out the eight-to-nine-man rotation perfectly. He is the bail-out option nearly every time the shot clock is counting down, and has been a reliable defender even on his worst days.

Due to the 25-year-old’s impact in numerous games this season, head coach Steve Kerr revealed after the Laker loss that he’d like Lamb on the roster. Complicating matters is the ongoing rape allegations against Lamb — the Warriors stated that they’ve done their due diligence on the issue, however the alleged victim says that didn’t include reaching out to her or her legal team. 

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The Warriors are highly likely to convert Lamb’s contract to a full deal once Lester Quinones’ 10-day deal ends later this week. If so, it will be the first time Lamb has been on a full NBA contract after stints with the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.

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