Two forwards on the Golden State Warriors’ 2023 roster remain on the free agent market. JaMychal Green and Anthony Lamb both played important roles throughout last season. They were each out of the rotation at certain points, but both maintained a solid level of professionalism and consistency when they got minutes.
The Warriors aren’t necessarily expected to resign Green or Lamb, yet the Warriors still have two open roster spots that need to be filled. It’s unclear whether the Warriors intend to use one of the spots on either Green or Lamb. However, signing one of these players may prove beneficial in the long run.
JaMychal Green’s Underrated 2023 Campaign
Green had one of his most efficient campaigns last season with the Warriors. He averaged a little over six points per game (PPG) and four rebounds on 54 percent from the field and 37 percent from the 3-point line. His rough start to the season overshadowed his solid production later in the regular season and the playoffs. Green’s timely 3 pointers and defensive versatility provided some needed depth in the Warriors’ frontcourt last season.
The Warriors did replace Green this summer with veteran Dario Saric and rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis. However, keeping Green around in the locker room and as an insurance option would be a smart move. Green was consistent and reliable whenever head coach Steve Kerr called upon him.
Anthony Lamb’s Breakout Season
Typically two-way players don’t receive much minutes, yet Lamb carved out a nice role for himself throughout the 2023 season. The Warriors’ early bench struggles and road woes forced Coach Kerr to look at other options. Lamb quickly earned a rotation spot as his 6-foot-6, 220-pound frame made him multi-positional, and his 3-point shooting was extremely consistent. His overall production caused the Warriors to convert his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract. Lamb’s averages of 6.7 PPG and 3.5 rebounds on 36.7 percent from the three-point line were all career highs in his short NBA career so far.
Why Haven’t Green or Lamb Been Signed Yet?
The Warriors lacked the dominance that was evident throughout their championship seasons. This may have something do with why Green and Lamb are unsigned, since their productive seasons didn’t translate to a championship. Usually Warriors role players get large contracts after winning a championship like Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. did in 2022.
Even though the Warriors didn’t win a championship in 2023, it’s surprising that no team has picked up Green or Lamb. They both had career highs in multiple statistical categories and were productive in limited minutes. At the very minimum, it should’ve been expected for them to sign with any team on training camp deals. Yet this still is not the case. Given their productive seasons, they will likely get signed by a team before the start of the 2024 season.
Should the Warriors Resign Green or Lamb?
Considering the Warriors’ positional needs, the Warriors should prioritize resigning JaMychal Green over Anthony Lamb. Green provides some additional frontcourt depth and gives the Warriors an older veteran in the locker room.
The Warriors have placed an emphasis on getting more veterans in the 2023 offseason, so Green fits that archetype. Lamb is a multi-positional player as well and is only 25 years old. However, he doesn’t necessarily fit the Warriors’ timeline in comparison to last season.
Green also has a unique bond with Draymond Green, which was a major reason he signed with the Warriors last offseason. Resigning JaMychal Green would greatly please Draymond Green since there is sustained chemistry between the two forwards.
The JaMychal Green and Draymond Green Connection
Interestingly enough JaMychal Green and Draymond Green played against each other growing up in the AAU circuit. They built a good relationship from there and have liked playing with each other, so that may be a significant factor in their future together. Whether this relationship leads to JaMychal Green resigning remains to be seen. However, if Green does resign with the Warriors, Draymond Green will have likely have been an integral part of it.
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Featured photo courtesy of NBA.com.