8 Best undrafted talents to play for the Golden State Warriors
By Tyler Watts
7. Kent Bazemore
Bazemore played four years at Old Dominion where he steadily improved, but the 6’4 wing went undrafted. The Warriors were quick to sign him after the draft as the then-struggling franchise saw his potential. They were coming off a 23-win season and had made the playoffs just once in 18 years. Bob Myers was just promoted to general manager two months earlier, and he was searching everywhere for talent.
Bazemore dominated the G League in a short stint in Santa Cruz and played 61 games for Golden State as a rookie. He averaged just 4.4 minutes per game, but his playing time was enough to deal him and MarShon Brooks for Steve Blake at the 2014 trade deadline. Bazemore got 28 minutes per game for the Lakers and showed what he could do on both ends of the floor.
His strong play earned the 6’4 guard $74 million over the next six years as he was a key role player on three Atlanta Hawks squads that made the playoffs. Bazemore became an important defender, secondary creator, and shot-maker as he just kept improving.
He returned to the Golden State Warriors for the 2021 season where he averaged 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 19.9 minutes per game. The Dubs wanted him back, but he decided to turn down more money to join LeBron James and the Lakers only to regret it as Golden State won the championship. Still, he went from undrafted to a key role player during his decade in the NBA.