The Long View · Morning

Golden State Is Still Auditioning for Its Last Camp Spot

A roster stuck above the tax line can only test new names at the bottom, and the tryouts keep churning before a single game tips off.

By the Warriors Nightly Desk · Sunday, September 20

Elias Ralph left the roster on September 20, two days after he arrived, and Obi Agbim signed a training camp deal the same day to take his place. It's the fourth swap at the edge of the roster in six days, all of it happening with the team's payroll at $223.3 million, over the higher of the league's two tax lines, the second one.

Warriors Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Six Names Through One Roster Spot

Since September 15, six players have cycled through the same open bottom-of-roster slot. Deivon Smith and Chance McMillian joined and left within a day. Jacksen Moni followed, in for one day before Elias Ralph and Nick Boyd signed. Now Ralph is gone too, and Obi Agbim has taken the spot on a training camp deal, reported September 19 by Paul Garcia.

A Payroll With No Room Left

Golden State's payroll sits at $223.3 million, over the higher of the NBA's two luxury-tax lines, the second one. Curry's $62.6 million, Butler's $56.8 million and Green's $27.7 million make up the bulk of it. With so much money committed to three players, Golden State's front office can only test the roster's edges on minimum deals — sign, watch, and move on when it doesn't fit.

The Calendar Ahead

Preseason opens October 4 at the Clippers, then home games against the Lakers on October 6 and the Kings on October 10, plus a road trip to Portland on October 7. The regular season opens October 21 at Lakers, on ESPN. Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler III are both still out — Moody with a left-knee injury, Butler with a right-knee injury — each carrying a return target of December 1.

Which Camp Names Make the Real Roster?

Boyd and Agbim are the two most recent names to slide into the open spot, but Ralph looked settled for two days before he didn't. The question hanging over camp is whether either sticks past final cuts, or whether Golden State keeps testing bodies right up to the October 4 opener.

Who did the Warriors sign and waive most recently?

Golden State waived Elias Ralph on September 20 and signed Obi Agbim to a training camp deal the same day.

When do the Warriors play their first game?

Golden State opens preseason October 4 at the Clippers, then opens the regular season October 21 at Lakers on ESPN.

By the Warriors Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.