Grading Warriors’ DiVincenzo Move With GP2 And Porter Out originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
the warriors their biggest box off-season ticked off earlier Friday when they reportedly agreed to a $25.5 million three-year contract with Center Kevon Looney† But that came after Golden State reportedly two other main free agents in Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr.
Now that those two are gone, along with Juan Toscano-Anderson and… Nemanja Bjelica, the Warriors were left with an immediate need for a defensive wing — one that could hopefully stretch the floor as well. Looks like they ticked another box there.
Donte DiVincenzo has agreed to a $9.3 million two-year contract with the Warriors, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Friday, citing sources. Charania also reported that the second year on the contract has a player option.
Immediately, this deal seems like a win-win for both player and team.
Using players like Payton and a handful of others, the Warriors have the examples to show free agents how much they can add to their value by being in their system and competing for a championship. That’s where DiVincenzo is now.
He is a former first-round draft pick, college champion, and NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks. He is six feet, is just 25 years old and had the highest vertical jump recorded at the 2018 draft. Athletes like him should be picked up early in free agency. But last season, he was limited after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left ankle.
Between the Bucks and Sacramento Kings, DiVincenzo played 42 games last season. He was much better after being traded to the kings. In 25 games with Sacramento, DiVincenzo averaged 10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He also shot 36.8 percent of the 3-point range and averaged 1.5 steals.
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The Warriors from now on are essentially filling the gaps left by Payton and Porter with a combination of DiVincenzo, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga. Quinndary Weatherspoon, and eventually Ryan Rollins, could also be part of that mix.
DiVincenzo doesn’t quite make up for the loss of Payton, the Warriors’ second most important free agent going into the season. Still, it’s a really nice move to add a motivated former first-round talent who can defend the perimeter, really run the floor and score some goals too.
Figure: B-plus