Looking forward to giving Grizzlies’ Casspi his ring

Omri Casspi was gone by the time the Warriors opened the playoffs in April, but he’ll receive his championship ring before Monday night’s Golden State-Memphis game at Oracle Arena.

It’s the Warriors’ way of honoring Casspi’s regularseason contributions. Before he was waived to free up a spot for

Quinn Cook on the postseason roster, Casspi averaged 5.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 53 games. His rim-cutting ability was a valued asset in head coach Steve Kerr’s movementheavy system.

“I enjoyed coaching Omri,” Kerr said Sunday. “He really fit our style well. He’s such a great cutter. I enjoyed watching him play with our other guys because of his ability to read different

situations and back cut.” In early April, with Stephen

Curry set to miss the first round of the playoffs with a sprained left MCL, Golden State needed insurance at point guard. The only point guard available other than Cook, who had started in Curry’s absence, was 32-year-old Shaun Livingston.

Per the terms of his two-way contract, Cook needed the front office to cut someone on a guaranteed deal so he could play in the playoffs. Casspi, who had missed the previous 11 games because of a sprained right ankle, was the obvious choice.

Though he thrived early in the season, Casspi had been hampered by inconsistency and struggled to carve out a regular place in the rotation. In the two months before he was waived, Casspi had logged double-digit minutes only four times.

Watching Golden State sweep Cleveland in the NBA Finals had to be tough for a player who has never played in a playoff game. But in July, Casspi got another chance to show he can contribute at the NBA level, signing a one-year, minimum contract with the Grizzlies.

Casspi is averaging 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in seven games. He has three three-pointers after managing 10 all last season with Golden State.

“I felt horrible for him at the end of the season, when we had the Steph injury and we had no choice,” Kerr said of Casspi. “It was just one of those weird sort of NBA things where he got kind of left out.

“He handled it beautifully because he’s a pro, and we’re excited to see him tomorrow and give him his ring.”

Injury update: Livingston will miss his fifth straight game Monday because of right foot soreness.