Warriors: Robertson added as coach; Livingston released.
LAS VEGAS — The Warriors waived point guard Shaun Livingston on Tuesday. His $7.7 million contract for next season was due to become fully guaranteed Wednesday.
Livingston, 33, had considered retiring, but he plans to continue playing. Although he became available more than a week into free agency, he figures to have some suitors.
The deadline for Golden State to guarantee Livingston’s contract for next season was initially June 30, but Livingston agreed to push it back until July 10 so the Warriors could have a clearer picture of their 201920 payroll before making a decision on him. For weeks, it had been expected that Golden State, which is trying to get younger, would not bring back Livingston.
The signandtrade deal with Brooklyn that landed
D’Angelo Russell with the Warriors created a hard cap, ending any chance of Golden State resigning Livingston. Only $2 million of the $7.7 million in Livingston’s contract for next season is guaranteed.
Livingston has been a key reserve for the Warriors for five years. But last season, his achy left knee — the lingering reminder of an injury so severe that doctors briefly considered amputating his leg — began to worsen. Although he shot 51.2% from the field, Livingston’s points (4.0) and assists (1.8) per game were down from the previous season (5.5 and 2.0).
The Warriors have 14 players projected on their 201920 roster, 10 of whom are no older than 25.
Because Golden State is just $219,000 below the hard cap, it doesn’t have the room to accommodate even a minimum contract.
The Warriors likely will enter next season with an open roster spot.
Robertson rejoins team: Theo Robertson — a former Cal swingman and Warriors video coordinator — will return to Golden State as a playerdevelopment assistant, a league source confirmed with The Chronicle.
The Athletic was first to report the news.
Robertson, 32, spent last season as an assistant video coordinator with the Pistons. Previously, he was briefly an assistant coach for Cal men’s basketball before leaving early in the 201718 season to pursue other opportunities.
Robertson also has had stints as a playerdevelopment coach with the Lakers and a video coordinator with the Warriors. A native of Pittsburg, he played for Cal (200610). Robertson was a twoyear captain and key member of the Bears’ 2010 Pac10 championship team.
He graduated as the school’s alltime 3point shooter, making 44% of his attempts beyond the arc. Since leaving the Warriors two years ago, he has remained close with Steve Kerr’s staff, often attending games.
Robertson replaces Willie Green, who left last month for a leading assistantcoaching job with the Suns.
Trade update: The Warriors announced they acquired the draft rights to forward Lior Eliyahu from the Timberwolves in the trade that sent guards Treveon Graham and Shabazz Napier to Minnesota. Eliyahu, drafted 44th overall by the Magic in 2006, plays for Hapoel Jerusalem in the Israeli Premier League.