The Long View · Morning

A Trimmed Roster Faces a Fuller Lakers Team

Golden State finalized its preseason roster a day before facing a Lakers team playing far closer to full strength than the one it blew out last week.

By the Warriors Nightly Desk · Monday, October 12

The Warriors waived Miles Kelly on October 11 and signed forward Tyler Burton to an Exhibit 10 deal on October 12, tightening the roster ahead of Tuesday's rematch in Los Angeles. Golden State beat the Lakers 124-98 on October 6, but a rested Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves present a tougher measure of where this roster actually stands.

Warriors Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Trimming the margins

Miles Kelly scored 24 points in the loss at Portland on October 7 and was waived four days later. Tyler Burton's Exhibit 10 deal on October 12 replaces him on a roster settling into its final preseason shape before the games start counting.

A different Lakers team shows up

The Lakers team Golden State beat 124-98 on October 6 was still finding its footing under new coach JJ Redick. This version arrives with four days of rest against the Warriors' two, and with Luka Doncic, who averaged 33.5 points a game last season, and Austin Reaves, who averaged 23.3, both expected to play full minutes.

Who's actually available

Jimmy Butler remains out with a right knee issue not expected to clear until January, and Moses Moody is targeting a December return from a left knee injury. De'Anthony Melton, the lone holdout from last week's round of rest days, still hasn't been cleared, which means Tuesday leans again on Yaxel Lendeborg, Gui Santos and Brandon Williams, the group that carried Saturday's win over Sacramento.

What Tuesday is actually measuring

A tougher Lakers lineup is a better test of the bench group than another lopsided night would have been. The real measuring stick still waits until October 21, when these same two teams open the regular season in the same building.

Did the Warriors make a roster move this week?

Yes. Golden State waived guard Miles Kelly on October 11 and signed forward Tyler Burton to an Exhibit 10 deal on October 12.

When do the Warriors play the Lakers again after Tuesday?

Golden State and Los Angeles meet again on October 21 at the Lakers, which is also Golden State's regular season opener, airing 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.