Mulder made strides
Before latching on with the Warriors toward the end of the 201920 season, guard Mychal Mulder played in the G League for teams based in such basketball outposts as Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Sioux Falls, S.D.
Flying on commercial flights and staying in budget hotels hardly bothered Mulder, who had gone undrafted in 2017 after averaging 2.9 points per game in two seasons at Kentucky. But now, after experiencing the NBA’s many luxuries for more than a year, he would prefer not to go back to the G League. And considering how well Mulder played for the Warriors this season, that shouldn’t be an issue.
A catchandshoot specialist, he excelled as a floorspacer who could defend multiple positions, throw down the occasional dunk and ratchet up the tempo. After oscillating in and out of the rotation much of the season, Mulder was thrust into a significant bench role when injuries and coronavirusrelated absences thinned the Warriors’ backcourt in late April. Suddenly, Mulder was playing 20plus minutes a night as the team’s eighth man. Emboldened by the opportunity, he became more aggressive in his cuts and screens. Several offensive outbursts — 26 points in an April 27 loss to the Mavericks, 25 in a May 6 rout of the Thunder, 28 in a May 14 win over the Pelicans — showed that he can be more than a complementary player.
But even when Mulder was asked simply to set picks, move off the ball, play hard on defense and knock down a couple of jumpers a game, he exhibited sound fundamentals and an understanding of the Warriors’ system. In 12.8 minutes per game this season, he averaged 5.6 points on 44.9% shooting (39.7% from 3point range).
No one expects Mulder to make an AllStar appearance, but he has proved himself worthy of a rotation spot on an NBA team. The question now is whether he did enough to warrant a place in the Warriors’ longterm plans. Offseason outlook: Mulder’s $1.8 million contract is nonguaranteed. Though the Warriors could do far worse than having him as a 13th or 14th man, they’ll consider all their options before bringing him back.
Damion Lee’s $1.9 million contract for next season is nonguaranteed, and Kent Bazemore will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Both of those players should be a higher priority than Mulder. It’s also possible Golden State will use its $6.3 million taxpayer midlevel exception on a proven shooting guard such as Wayne Ellington, which would make Mulder less necessary.
One certainty is the Warriors plan to invite Justinian Jessup — the No. 51 pick in November’s NBA draft — to training camp. Jessup, who thrived as a catchandshoot specialist in Australia’s National Basketball League this season, likely would occupy a role similar to Mulder’s.
Though Mulder is more proven than Jessup, the Warriors might prefer Jessup’s length. It appears unlikely Mulder will be on the 202122 roster. But based on what he showed this season, he should have no issues landing a guaranteed contract elsewhere.