The Golden State Warriors’ search to fill out their roster took a big step on Tuesday with reports the franchise will hold workouts with six free agents over the next two weeks.
First announced by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Warriors will have a private look at veterans Kent Bazemore, Tony Snell, Dion Waiters, Trey Burke and Juan Toscano-Anderson, along with younger big man Harry Giles III.
While it’s difficult to envisage too much impact from any of the six free agents, there’s a couple who could prove savvy additions to the Golden State Warriors.
It’s a big opportunity for the six-man group who will have the chance to push for a spot in training camp. Golden State are scheduled to play in five preseason games where players may be vying for the franchise’s currently vacant 14th roster spot.
Let’s rank the six players the Warriors will hold workouts with in likelihood of earning a roster spot with the team for next season:
6. Trey Burke
A 6’0″ score-first point-guard isn’t the type of player the Warriors need, even if Burke has made a decent career from his ability to put the ball in the basket. Originally drafted ninth overall in the first-round of 2013, the 30-year-old’s most recent NBA stint came with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2021-22 season.
Burke played with the Stockton Kings in the G League last season, averaging 15.5 points on 45.1% shooting from the floor and 42.4% from three-point range. He also shot over 90% from the free-throw line, had a good assist-to-turnover ratio, and recorded a positive plus-minus.
Other teams may be able to utilize Burke as a bucket-getter in short bursts, but with Stephen Curry, Chris Paul and Cory Joseph, Golden State are well stocked for experienced guards. If they ever got to a desperate point where Burke was needed for genuine minutes, there’d be much better off giving the experience to rookie guard Brandin Podziemski.