The Golden State Warriors traded their 2025 first-round pick to the Miami Heat in the Jimmy Butler trade last February, but if they had kept it there’s a chance they would’ve tried to utilize it on Florida product Walter Clayton Jr.
The Warriors couldn’t find a way back into the first-round of the draft, having shown interest in trading up to acquire Clayton according to Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard. Now, just over a year after being taken 18th overall, Clayton could wind up a victim of a roster squeeze at the Memphis Grizzlies after they landed him from the Utah Jazz in February’s Jaren Jackson Jr. trade.
Warriors could finally land Walter Clayton Jr. without giving up anything
It would seem nearly impossible that such a recent first round pick would become available after his rookie season, but the Warriors might get an unexpected chance at Clayton without having to give up anything at all.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer on Tuesday, Clayton is one of four players the Grizzlies could waive to bring down their roster from 19 to the 15-player maximum after a four-player trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.
"They've gotta cut four of Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, D'Angelo Russell, Walter Clayton or Kris Murray. I believe at this point in time Jordan Hawkins has a chance to stick around," Fischer said.
Clayton averaged over 20 minutes in 69 combined appearances for the Jazz and Grizzlies last season, averaging 7.8 points and 4.0 assists while shooting only 38.4% from the floor and 30.7% from three-point range. Those numbers aren’t inspiring but the 23-year-old would surely generate significant interest if he were to be waived and hit free agency.
Warriors would surely renew interest in Walter Clayton Jr.
Given they were trying to trade up into a first round pick to select him just over 12 months ago, the Warriors would surely be all in on Clayton if he came for free as a free agent. Golden State just signed Brandon Williams to a non-guaranteed contract as a backup point guard option, but Clayton might be the higher upside option despite the former Dallas Mavericks guard coming off a career-best year and being only 26 himself.
Given they’re seemingly taking this season as a gap year anyway, taking a gamble on Clayton would be well worth it and comes with the upside of already developed chemistry with former Florida national championship teammate Will Richard.
Clayton averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his final collegiate season, shooting 44.8% from the floor and 38.6% from three point range. Now just one year through his NBA career, the Warriors will need to seriously monitor the Grizzlies situation to see if the 6’4” guard becomes available.
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