The Golden State Warriors are solidifying their frontcourt depth for the NBA playoffs. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the team is converting two-way center Usman Garuba to a standard NBA contract for the remainder of the season:
The Golden State Warriors are planning to convert two-way center Usman Garuba to a standard NBA deal for the rest of the season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Garuba will fill Warriors’ final roster spot and is playoff-eligible. Twitter: @ShamsCharania
This move comes as the Warriors navigate a competitive Western Conference playoff race. Garuba’s addition provides them with additional size and rebounding ability in their frontcourt rotation.
Usman Garuba: A Look at the Prospect
A 22-year-old Spanish center, Usman Garuba was drafted 23rd overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2021 NBA Draft. After a brief stint with the Rockets, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks and subsequently waived before the start of the 2023-2024 season.
The Golden State Warriors signed Usman Garuba to a two-way contract in September 2023. Two-way contracts allow teams to stash young players in the NBA G League while still having them available for a limited number of NBA games. In the G League, Garuba averaged a respectable 12.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game for the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s affiliate team.
While Usman Garuba is not expected to be a major contributor in terms of scoring, his presence provides the Warriors with some much-needed depth in the frontcourt. The team has relied heavily on Draymond Green and Kevon Looney for minutes at center throughout the season. Adding Garuba gives them another option, particularly against bigger opponents.
One crucial aspect of this move is Garuba’s playoff eligibility. By converting him to a standard contract before the playoffs begin, the Warriors ensure they have an extra body available for their postseason push. This can be especially valuable in the event of injuries or foul trouble among their starting big men.
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