SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors didn’t want to spend a lot of money this past offseason in free agency. With a stable of highly-paid veterans and a group of five recent draftees, Golden State only had a handful of roster spots remaining and a lot of luxury tax to pay.
Bob Myers and the Warriors front office ultimately signed guard Donte DiVincenzo, forward JaMychal Green and brought back Andre Iguodala. Their salaries are only a fraction of the team’s whopping $359.7 million payroll this season, but DiVincenzo and Green have been making their presence felt in recent games.
The two veterans provided big boosts off the bench in Friday’s 129-117 win over the Toronto Raptors. DiVincenzo dished out a career-high 11 assists to help the Warriors reach their season high of 40. He also scored 12 points and recorded a game-high +24 in 33 minutes.
“I had no idea I was plus-24,” DiVincenzo said. “I think sometimes that’s skewed. I’m playing with two of the best shooters of all-time.”
As DiVincenzo noted, The Splash Brothers were wet Friday. Steph Curry dropped 35 points, Klay Thompson scored 29 and they combined to hit 10 3-pointers. Of DiVincenzo’s 11 assists, eight of them went to the future Hall of Famers.
During last year’s title run, guard Gary Payton II and forward Otto Porter Jr. turned into reliable bench options. Donte and JaMychal aren’t exactly the same players, but they're filling similar roles now with Kerr’s rotation, which is firmly coming into focus with everyone but Iguodala healthy.
DiVincenzo can shoot the 3-pointer, run the point, rebound and play possession-altering defense, whereas GP2 was a high-flier who lived in the dunker spot, a supreme cutter, deft passer and defender. It’s worth noting that the Warriors are 23-16 when DiVincenzo plays and 2-8 without him.
“Donte’s played a big role for us this year,” Kerr said. “He has kinda taken on Gary’s role from a year ago, being our defensive guard who’s coming in to guard the best guy and play with a lot of energy. He’s different than Gary, he’s more of a ball handler and playmaker. Gary played more like a finishing four man around the basket. Donte’s found a way to fit right in.”
Payton eventually signed a three-year, $26 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, as the Warriors didn’t want to go further in the luxury tax. DiVincenzo is making $4.5 million this season and holds a $4.7 million player option next year, though he could explore free agency for a bigger deal if he keeps this up, and lock up a multi-year contract like Payton.
Porter didn’t appear to be in the building with the Raptors on Friday, as he is out for the season after undergoing foot surgery earlier this month. Otto is making $6 million this season and holds a $6.3 million player option for 2023-24. The Warriors are paying the minimum for Green ($2.6 million) but he’s also getting $5.6 million from the Oklahoma City Thunder after agreeing to a buyout.
Green continues to bring instant energy, rebounding and toughness to the frontcourt, as he’s been a difference-maker since an extended absence. He’s played three of the past four games since missing 14 contests due to NBA’s health and safety protocols and getting a leg infection.
“JaMychal has given us good minutes now the past few games,” Kerr said. “We know what he is. He’s been in the league. He’s very reliable. We like the fact that he can step out and make a 3. As a 5-man, that’s a valuable weapon in this league right now. But he’s also got some physicality to him, he rebounds, he gives us a good toughness on the inside. JaMychal’s earning his minutes.”
While Green’s playing time has been limited, he’s made the most of it. On Friday, he recorded 10 points and six rebounds in just 16 minutes. In 16 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers last week, he put up 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
"I just want them to know that I can handle my own out there,” Green told NBC Sports Bay Area. “I can come in and pick up the load as well. It’s frustrating when you’re going up and down with the minutes and everything, but as a professional you gotta stay locked in.”
With Green’s steadying presence, third-year center James Wiseman remains buried on the depth chart. Even though Kevon Looney picked up his fourth foul with three minutes left in the second quarter and eventually fouled out, Wiseman stayed glued to the bench Friday. At one point, TV cameras caught DiVincenzo coaching up the 21-year-old.
“We just decided to go with JaMychal,” Kerr said. “We thought about going with Wise, but JaMychal’s been playing well the last few games. So we gave him those minutes, but James could find himself out there next game. It’s just day-to-day. He’s just gotta stay ready, which he will.”
While Golden State played at Chase Center, second-year wing Moses Moody dropped 26 points for the G League Santa Cruz Warriors, as the franchise doesn’t want him to go stale in the NBA.
At this point, DiVincenzo, Green and Jonathan Kuminga are rounding out the main nine-man rotation, behind Steph, Klay, Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Looney. They’re bringing stability to a second unit that was much maligned to begin the year. Two-way player Ty Jerome has been in street clothes the past two games while Anthony Lamb played just 11 minutes Friday.
