The Golden State completed their 15-man main roster with a pair of deals on Tuesday, signing former Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams and veteran forward Georges Niang to one-year, minimum contracts.
Barring an unlikely trade, the Warrior roster is practically complete. However, they still have one move to make in signing a third two-way contracted player who can split time between the G League and the main squad as required.
Warriors still have final two-way spot to fill after Tuesday’s signings
There are two prominent names that standout when it comes to joining LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons on a two-way deal. Golden State took young wing Lajae Jones 52nd overall in June’s NBA Draft, and now face a decision to make with the 22-year-old.
By signing Williams and Niang on Tuesday, the Warriors have already opted against giving Jones a standard contract and place on the main roster. Doing so would have provided some tax savings given second-round contracts are cheaper than veteran minimums, but the decision to go with more proven options in Williams and Niang is the appropriate one given Golden State will be without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody to start the season.
The Warriors could now hand Jones the third two-way spot, allowing him to develop in the G League with occasional nights on the main squad if veterans are resting. Alternatively, there has been speculation he could play overseas as a draft-and-stash prospect.
The other obvious option here is Graham Ike -- Golden State’s starting center on the Summer League championship squad. Ike averaged 10.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 block during summer league, including going for six points, nine rebounds, three assists and being an equal game-high +12 in the Championship Game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Lajae Jones and Graham Ike offer alternative paths
Jones and Ike each offer a different approach for the Warriors to take. Jones would appear more of a longer term prospect who shouldn’t be asked to play too much this upcoming season, having shown some worthy flashes during summer league in a bench role.
On the other hand, Ike looks like he could step in and offer reasonable minutes as a big if Golden State get desperate, which is a reasonable possibility given the injury and availability issues surrounding the main roster trio of Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Charles Bassey.
It will be fascinating to see which path the Warriors take, or if they go with another option by opening night. It’s unlikely that they rush into a decision, rather they may evaluate both and other candidates during training camp and preseason.
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