Lamb’s future is still up in the air
Golden State Warriors forward Anthony Lamb was active for his 49th NBA game Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Per league rules, he can play in only 50 games as a twoway contract player, which means he could reach his limit Sunday in Los Angeles.
That means the Warriors have a decision to make about Lamb’s future in the coming days if they want the 25-year-old to be available in the final 17 regular-season games.
Head coach Steve Kerr said Golden State hasn’t made a decision regarding Lamb beyond Friday night. Any future conversion or deactivation will depend partly on the availability of Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Andre Iguodala.
Curry has missed 11 straight games because of a lower left leg injury, but he might play Sunday against the Lakers, barring setbacks. Wiggins has missed seven straight games as he continues to deal with what the team is calling a “family matter,” and there’s no timetable for his return. Iguodala hasn’t played for the Warriors since Jan. 13 because of right hip soreness.
“I think all of that will factor into what we’re doing on the Lamb front,” Kerr said.
Lamb has become a rotation regular for Golden State with his ability to guard multiple positions, rebound and space the floor. He has averaged 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from 3-point range.
“Especially with the way we’ve been playing lately, I’m just sort of trying to be with the guys as much as I can,” Lamb said, adding that the decision is “out of
my control. There’s nothing I can do about it. I’ll play as many games as I can and let the cards fall where they may. I really just stay locked in to what I’ve got each day. I guess if things were to change and I had more games left, then I’d deal with that as it comes. I guess the future is for the future.”
The Warriors signed Santa Cruz player Lester Quiñones to a 10-day contract Wednesday, in part to offer more regular-season availability to Lamb and fellow two-way contract player Ty Jerome. The two can play in 100 combined games because of the move. Jerome will have five games left after Friday’s matchup against New Orleans.
NBA teams have until April 9 to decide whether to convert their two-way players to standard NBA contracts.
GPII update: The availability of Gary Payton II could impact whether the Warriors need to convert or deactivate Lamb or Jerome as well. The 30year-old guard hasn’t appeared since being traded from Portland back to Golden State on Feb. 9 because of the core-muscle injury that almost derailed the deal after Payton failed his physical.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers told the media Feb. 13 that Payton would be re-evaluated in a month. There’s still an outside chance he could be healthy and available come playoff time. In the meantime, Kerr said Payton has been fitting in like he never left.
“We’ve talked a little bit,” Kerr said. “He plays great music in the weight room, so I enjoy listening to his music, and he’s in there a lot because he can’t be on the floor much. So we’ve had a couple of conversations and I’m thrilled to have him back. He just belongs here. This is where things happen for him and for us. … He’s going through rehab every day and getting on the court as well — not in practice but on his own. So it’s coming along well, but it’s going to be a while.”