After a relatively slow start in the opening days of free agency, the Golden State Warriors have finally made a move in signing veteran point-guard Cory Joseph to a one-year deal.
Reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday, the Warriors have solved their need for a third-string point-guard behind 35-year-old Stephen Curry and the newly acquired 38-year-old Chris Paul.
With a wealth of NBA experience, 31-year-old Cory Joseph is an unexciting but steady and reliable depth piece for the Golden State Warriors.
Golden State’s initial intention was to secure Ty Jerome to a standard contract after the 25-year-old had played 45 games on a two-way deal this season. However, that situation went awry as Jerome signed a two-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
It left the Warriors scrambling somewhat, needing to add insurance behind Curry and Paul in the ball-handling/playmaking duties. In Joseph they’ve got that — a 12-year NBA veteran with solid recent form with the rebuilding Detroit Pistons.
Joseph averaged 19.8 minutes in 62 games with the Pistons this season, averaging 6.9 points and 3.5 assists on a healthy 38.9% from three-point range. The year prior he started 39 games in Detroit, averaging eight points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists on a career-high 41.4% from deep.
While there may have been younger, higher upside guards available on the free agent market, the Warriors have secured the services of a player they know can be trusted when called upon at any point next season.
Joseph will be a steady and consistent option if/when Curry and Paul sit throughout the regular season. However, his capacity as an off-ball three-point shooter — 41.4% on catch-and-shoot triples this season — shouldn’t be underestimated and could prove valuable at times alongside Curry or Paul.
Joseph is the 12th contracted player for the Warriors, leaving three spots available going forward. Expect two of those to be filled in the coming days/weeks, with the front office still in search of a backup big and more forward depth.