Juan Toscano-Anderson got shipped from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Utah Jazz at the trade deadline and is already in offseason mode, as the Jazz finished as the No. 12 seed in the West and missed the play-in tournament while rebuilding.
During the past two games of the Warriors-Kings center, the former Dubs fan favorite has been spotted at Chase Center.
JTA joined 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” Monday and said he still has a lot of love for the Warriors. The Oakland native grew up near Oracle Arena and played 2019-22 for Golden State, helping the Dubs win a title as a beloved role player last year.
Toscano-Anderson still lives in Oakland so he said it’s been fun to watch the Warriors while coming back home.
“There’s two parts. Obviously, I’m from there, so I was back home, caught some games,” Toscano-Anderson told hosts Mark Willard and Dan Dibley. “I’m a lifelong Warrior fan. Even though I’m not on the team in the competition I’m still a fan. Secondly, and probably most importantly, just the environment they create. It’s like, ‘Once a Warrior always a Warrior.’ They welcomed me back with open arms to just come and they hosted me really well.”
JTA is scheduled to be a free agent this summer. He said he’s looking forward to going on vacation in a few days to clear his head and think about his future.
"I’m 30 now. I’m getting a little older,” Toscano-Anderson said. “I just wanna enjoy my journey. You never know when your career will come to an end – whether that’s by injury or not getting a contract."
Without saying as much, it sounds like Toscano-Anderson would be open to a Warriors reunion if they want to bring him back, likely on a veteran minimum contract.
"I would be open to a lot of different things, without being too specific,” JTA said. “But I’m gonna remain optimistic, stay in shape and befor ready when an opportunity presents itself from another team or Utah, if Utah decides to retain me."
Toscano-Anderson is basically a hustle guy at this point of his career who can give you minutes during the regular season grind, but isn’t a playoff rotation player. But, hey, the Warriors had a soft spot for Andre Iguodala this season and he played in just eight games.
After seeing the Warriors tie up the series with back-to-back wins, JTA thinks Golden State can win the series.
“They’ve gotta go on the road and handle business, but they’re very capable of doing that,” Toscano-Anderson said. “They’re a championship-caliber team."
He finished off his interview with a shoutout to Warriors fans.
"I am still part of Dub Nation as a fan,” JTA said. “When I played there it was amazing. Thank you to all of them for the love and the support. I appreciate it."
