Warriors Sign Marcus Derrickson To Two-Way Deal
9:04pm: The move is official, the Warriors announced on Twitter.
OCTOBER 13, 8:43am: The Warriors are converting Marcus Derrickson‘s Exhibit 10 contract into a two-way deal, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Derrickson, 22, went undrafted out of Georgetown this summer, but he impressed in the Summer League, averaging 13.1 PPG and 5.0 RPG in eight contests.
In five preseason games for Golden State, Derrickson averaged 5.0 PPG and 2.8 RPG. Derrickson joins Damion Lee as the Warriors’ other two-way player. Players on two-way deals are permitted to spend up to 45 days with the NBA team and the rest of the season with the G League affiliate.
The Warriors are expected to leave their 15th roster spot vacant to begin the year for flexibility and payroll purposes. Thus, with the decision on Derrickson, the Warriors’ roster is now complete.
Golden State waived Tyler Ulis and three others on Friday, cutting down its 20-man preseason roster to size. Alfonzo McKinnie filled the Warriors’ 14th roster spot with Lee and Derrickson representing the organization’s two-way deals.
Now, Golden State can turn its attention to opening night against the Thunder on Tuesday. As DeMarcus Cousins continues to rehab from a torn Achilles, Golden State will start Damian Jones at center but the team is not committed beyond that, Slater tweets.
Roster, Contract Deadlines Loom For NBA Teams
Monday, October 15 is the last day of the 2018 NBA offseason and serves as the deadline for a number of roster- and contract-related decisions. Here are the deadlines that teams around the NBA are facing on Monday:
- Roster limits decrease from 20 players to 15 (plus two two-way players).
- Last day for teams to sign a player to a rookie scale extension. [RELATED: Players eligible for rookie scale extensions]
- Last day for teams to sign a player to a veteran extension in certain scenarios. Extension-eligible veteran contracts with more than one season remaining can’t be extended after October 15; designated veteran extensions can’t be signed after October 15.
- Last day for teams to complete sign-and-trade deals.
- Last day for teams to convert an Exhibit 10 contract into a two-way contract.
While Monday is technically the roster cutdown deadline, many clubs will make their final moves today. That’s because players on non-guaranteed contracts must clear waivers before the first day of the regular season to avoid having their salaries begin to count against a team’s cap.
For instance, if the Suns were to keep non-guaranteed vets Isaiah Canaan and Richaun Holmes on their roster until Monday, then cut them, the team would be on the hook for a couple days’ worth of salary for each player, since the duo wouldn’t clear waivers until Wednesday. That’s not a huge chunk of money, but if clubs have already made their roster decisions, they’re more likely to just make their cuts today.
Teams who plan on releasing players with full or partial guarantees are more likely to wait until Sunday or Monday, since those salaries will count against their cap either way.
Outside of roster cuts, it will be interesting to see how many more teams reach rookie scale extension agreements with their fourth-year players by Monday night. Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Justise Winslow have signed new deals already, but 20 players remain eligible.
Larry Nance Jr. (Cavaliers), Bobby Portis (Bulls), Myles Turner (Pacers), and Delon Wright (Raptors) are among the strongest candidates for rookie scale extensions in the coming days, as ESPN’s Zach Lowe details. Lowe views Nance and Portis as the best bets in that group, though he also hears from sources that Wright’s agent – Greg Lawrence – will be in Toronto this weekend for some “last-minute meetings.” If those players and the rest who are eligible for rookie scale extensions don’t sign new contracts by Monday, they’ll be on track for restricted free agency in 2019.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Insider-only link), there are also 30 extension-eligible players on veteran contracts who won’t be able to get an in-season extension after Monday’s deadline passes. If an extension-eligible veteran has just one year remaining on his contract, he remains extension-eligible through Monday. But for players with multiple years left, Monday is the 2018/19 deadline. Draymond Green (Warriors), Eric Gordon (Rockets), Jae Crowder (Jazz), and E’Twaun Moore (Pelicans) are among the players in that group, per Marks, who says not to expect a new deal for Green.
Finally, while I don’t think we’ll see any sign-and-trade deals within the next couple days, Monday’s deadline is worth noting for a player like restricted free agent Patrick McCaw. Talks between McCaw and the Warriors still appear to be at a stalemate, so a sign-and-trade arrangement could be a viable option for both sides. However, that can’t happen after Monday.
Klay Hopes To See Five Warriors On Team USA
- Warriors head coach Steve Kerr will be an assistant coach for Team USA during the 2019 World Cup and the 2020 Olympics, and several of his players are hoping to join him on those teams, according to Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. Klay Thompson tells Friedell that it would be “awesome” if five current Golden State players – Thompson, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and DeMarcus Cousins – made the Team USA roster.
Alfonzo McKinnie, Warriors Agree To Two-Year Deal
4:11pm: The pact is not guaranteed, Anthony Slater of The Athletic tweets. It won’t be fully guaranteed until January 10th, Slater adds.
3:37pm: McKinnie’s stint on a two-way contract with the Warriors didn’t last long. According to Charania (via Twitter), the two sides have already negotiated a new two-year, minimum salary contract that will make McKinnie the 14th man on the roster. By temporarily giving him a two-way contract, Golden State avoided having to put the second-year forward through waivers.
It’s not clear how much – if any – of McKinnie’s new deal will be guaranteed, or whether his roster spot will be safe if the Warriors eventually bring back Patrick McCaw. For now though, it appears he’s on track to open the regular season with the club.
8:24am: The Warriors are signing camp invitee Alfonzo McKinnie to a two-way contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). McKinnie’s current contract with Golden State is reportedly an Exhibit 10 deal, which will allow the Dubs to unilaterally convert it into a two-way pact.
[RELATED: 2018/19 NBA Two-Way Contract Tracker]
According to Charania, the move could be a procedural one, opening the door for McKinnie to eventually sign a new standard contract with the Warriors. Converting his Exhibit 10 deal into a two-way contract will allow Golden State to keep the 26-year-old forward on the team without keeping him on its 15-man roster, which would increase the club’s projected tax bill. As a two-way player, McKinnie won’t count against the cap, and he could negotiate a standard NBA contract during the season if the Warriors decide they want to move him to the 15-man squad.
McKinnie, who played his college ball at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, spent the 2017/18 season with the Raptors, appearing sparingly in 14 games for the club. He saw more action for the Raptors 905 in the G League, averaging 14.0 PPG and 7.5 RPG in 35 contests for the squad. After Toronto waived McKinnie in July, he caught on with the Warriors for camp and has apparently impressed the defending champions this fall.
The Warriors have one open two-way contract slot, with Damion Lee filling the other, so no corresponding cut will be required to finalize the move.
Warriors Waive Tyler Ulis, Three Others
The Warriors have waived four players from their 20-man preseason roster, the team announced today in a press release. Point guard Tyler Ulis, swingman Danuel House, big man Deyonta Davis, and guard Kendrick Nunn have all been released, according to the club.
Ulis and House, who each have some NBA experience, appeared to be potential candidates to make the regular season roster with Patrick McCaw‘s restricted free agency still unresolved, but it looks like it will be Alfonzo McKinnie who fills the Warriors’ 14th roster spot instead — he agreed to a two-year contract with Golden State today.
The team is expected to leave its 15th roster spot empty to open the season to retain flexibility and to avoid increasing its projected tax bill.
With Ulis, House, Davis, and Nunn all on waivers and McKinnie receiving a new contract, Marcus Derrickson is the only non-guaranteed camp invitee who wasn’t involved in a roster move today. Anthony Slater of The Athletic tweets that he wouldn’t be surprised if Derrickson claims Golden State’s second two-way contract slot. Currently, the club’s only two-way player is Damion Lee.
2018/19 Over/Unders: Pacific Division
The 2018/19 NBA regular season will get underway in just four days, which means it’s time to get serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign. With the help of the lines from Bovada and the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division, to have you weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.
Having already looked at the Atlantic, Central, and Southwest divisions this week, we’re moving onto the Pacific today…
Golden State Warriors
- 2017/18 record: 58-24
- Over/under for 2018/19: 62.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: DeMarcus Cousins, Jonas Jerebko, Jacob Evans
- Lost: David West, Nick Young, Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee
- Note: Patrick McCaw also remains unsigned for now.
How many games will the Warriors win in 2018/19?
-
Over 62.5 53% (217)
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Under 62.5 47% (189)
Total votes: 406
(Trade Rumors app users, click here for Warriors poll)
Los Angeles Lakers
- 2017/18 record: 35-47
- Over/under for 2018/19: 48.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
How many games will the Lakers win in 2018/19?
-
Over 48.5 55% (276)
-
Under 48.5 45% (224)
Total votes: 500
(Trade Rumors app users, click here for Lakers poll)
Los Angeles Clippers
- 2017/18 record: 42-40
- Over/under for 2018/19: 36.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
How many games will the Clippers win in 2018/19?
-
Under 36.5 56% (220)
-
Over 36.5 44% (175)
Total votes: 395
(Trade Rumors app users, click here for Clippers poll)
Phoenix Suns
- 2017/18 record: 21-61
- Over/under for 2018/19: 29.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
How many games will the Suns win in 2018/19?
-
Under 29.5 53% (220)
-
Over 29.5 47% (192)
Total votes: 412
(Trade Rumors app users, click here for Suns poll)
Sacramento Kings
- 2017/18 record: 27-55
- Over/under for 2018/19: 25.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Marvin Bagley, Nemanja Bjelica, Yogi Ferrell, Ben McLemore
- Lost: Garrett Temple, Vince Carter, Bruno Caboclo, Nigel Hayes
How many games will the Kings win in 2018/19?
-
Under 25.5 64% (244)
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Over 25.5 36% (138)
Total votes: 382
(Trade Rumors app users, click here for Kings poll)
Previous voting results:
- Boston Celtics (59.5 wins): Over (53.63%)
- Toronto Raptors (55.5 wins): Over (56.95%)
- Philadelphia 76ers (54.5 wins): Under (51.19%)
- Brooklyn Nets (31.5 wins): Under (56.04%)
- New York Knicks (28.5 wins): Under (54.13%)
- Houston Rockets (56.5 wins): Over (69.33%)
- New Orleans Pelicans (45.5 wins): Under (53.4%)
- San Antonio Spurs (44.5 wins): Under (60%)
- Dallas Mavericks (34.5 wins): Over (55.16%)
- Memphis Grizzlies (34.5 wins): Under (60.87%)
- Indiana Pacers (47.5 wins): Over (62.04%)
- Milwaukee Bucks (47.5 wins): Over (73.7%)
- Detroit Pistons (38.5 wins): Over (56.36%)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (30.5 wins): Over (55.42%)
- Chicago Bulls (29.5 wins): Over (61.8%)
Warriors To Sign Jaleel Cousins To Exhibit 10 Deal
The Warriors are signing center Jaleel Cousins to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link). Golden State doesn’t currently have an opening on its 20-man roster, so a corresponding move will be required to finalize the signing.
Cousins, the younger brother of Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins, went undrafted in 2016 after playing his college ball at South Florida. Since then, he has played for the G League’s Texas Legends and Reno Bighorns, and also spent time with the Formosa Dreamers in Taiwan. The Warriors figure to waive him shortly and have him play for their own G League affiliate in Santa Cruz.
Golden State is currently carrying six players on non-guaranteed contracts, though one of those players – Alfonzo McKinnie – is reportedly receiving a two-way deal. That leaves five other candidates to be cut to make room for Cousins — Deyonta Davis, Marcus Derrickson, Danuel House, Kendrick Nunn, or Tyler Ulis.
Green Talks Warriors' Dynasty; Cousins Ramps Up Conditioning Drills
- Draymond Green doesn’t see the Warriors‘ dynasty ending anytime soon, telling ESPN’s Sam Alipour that if the team stays together, only old age can stop them.
- DeMarcus Cousins has ramped up his conditioning drills, though it’s unclear when he’ll make his return to the court, Mark Medina of The Mercury News writes. “We’re literally taking it week-by-week,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “But he’s ramping up conditioning aspect of it. That’s a good sign.”
Warriors Sign Deyonta Davis, Waive Will Cherry
The Warriors have signed free agent Deyonta Davis, waiving Will Cherry to create roster space, the team announced in a press release Thursday.
Cherry is expected to play in the G League with Santa Cruz, Marc J. Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated tweets. He signed a contract to join the Warriors on Monday.
Davis, 21, holds career-averages of 4.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 12.1 minutes in 98 games. He’s spent the past two NBA seasons with the Grizzlies, also seeing action with the team’s G League affiliate.
Davis was drafted with the No. 31 pick in 2016 by Boston. Before then, he spent one collegiate season at Michigan State.
The Warriors still have 20 players on their active roster, with NBA rules requiring that they soon waive three players to reach the season limit.
Community Shootaround: Kevin Durant’s Future
Since joining the Warriors during the summer of 2016, Kevin Durant has signed short-term contracts, opting out and signing new deals twice since then. Those short-term commitments weren’t necessarily a sign of his unwillingness to commit to Golden State long-term, but rather a byproduct of the constraints of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Those short-term contracts allowed Durant to maximize his year-to-year earnings if he wanted to (instead, he opted for a team-friendly discount in year two) and will put him in position to ink a five-year contract with the Warriors in 2019, when the team will finally have secured his Bird rights.
However, while Durant’s return to Golden State was a given during the last two summers, that no longer appears to be the case for 2019. Despite winning back-to-back titles with the Warriors, earning Finals MVP honors both times, Durant isn’t viewed as a lock to remain in the Bay Area for many years to come.
Those rumblings about Durant’s possible departure grew a little louder last week, when multiple national NBA writers, including Chris Haynes, Chris Mannix, and Tim Bontemps, suggested that people around the NBA viewed the Knicks as a legit suitor for nine-time All-Star. Now, a local reporter has joined the conversation and added further credence to the idea that Durant could head elsewhere.
Following up on a radio appearance on KNBR, Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic wrote last night that he’s not reporting that Durant will leave Golden State at season’s end, but if he had to guess, he’d predict the 30-year-old will head elsewhere.
As Thompson explains, Durant’s comments about keeping his options open and taking things “season by season” strike a different tone than what he’s said about his situation in past years. Additionally, Thompson says he’s spoken to several people within the Warriors’ franchise about the subject, and gets the same sentiment from most of them: they hope he stays, but wouldn’t be surprised if he leaves.
It’s hard to imagine any team besides the Warriors entering the 2019 offseason as the favorites to sign Durant, especially if they win another title. After all, they’ll be able to offer him more years and more money than any other club. Still, many teams around the NBA will have the cap space necessary to sign a maximum-salary free agent, and several of those teams will be eager to pitch Durant on becoming the new face of their franchise.
What do you think? Is it crazy to think that Durant might leave Golden State next year after his run of success with the team? Do you expect him to stick around the Bay Area beyond 2019, or will rival teams have a real chance to lure him away?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in!