The Golden State Warriors may have just made a mistake at the end of their roster, having waived Miles Kelly on Sunday despite his impressive performance against the Portland Trail Blazers just a matter of days ago.
The Warriors could have signed Kelly to a two-way contract by moving on from Malevy Leons, but instead the 23 year-old will likely head to Santa Cruz to ply his trade in the G League with the hope of another NBA opportunity.
Warriors should’ve kept Miles Kelly over Malevy Leons
Kelly had 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists off the bench in the 123-118 loss to the Trail Blazers on Wednesday. It was his only real opportunity of the preseason, but he made the most of it in shooting 8-of-16 from the floor and 6-of-11 from 3-point range.
The reality is that performance from Kelly was far more impressive than any performance Leons has delivered this preseason, or frankly in any game since he joined the franchise last season. Leons is a more connective piece who provides more of the role-playing aspects, but at some point you’ve got to reward production and it feels like the Warriors have missed an opportunity to do that here.
With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody injured on the sidelines, clearly Golden State feel Leons can be a depth forward piece for them as opposed to a more unproven prospect like Kelly who joined the franchise after 14 games with the Dallas Mavericks last season.
But even then, Leons is far from Steve Kerr's rotational plans for opening night against the Los Angeles Lakers in 10 days. It will take even more injury issues for Leons to get a legitimate opportunity, and if that’s the case the Warriors are likely to be in a lot of trouble.
Dalen Terry is likely to be next Warrior wing waived
Kelly has been waived with two games left in the preseason, but he’s not the only player on Golden State’s preseason roster who is destined for Santa Cruz.
Dalen Terry was the other notable headline from Wednesday’s game in Portland, nearing a triple-double with 23 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and four steals on 9-of-18 shooting and 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Terry might see out the last two preseason games with the franchise, but he’s also set to be waived given the former first-round pick is no longer eligible for a two-way contract in his fifth year.
The Warriors will take on the Lakers again on Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, before finishing their preseason back home at Chase Center against the Trail Blazers.
Add us as a preferred source on Google