The Golden State Warriors have filled one of their open roster spots. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, veteran forward Rudy Gay will join the team on a one-year deal. Gay, 37, has spent the last two seasons with the Utah Jazz and played in 56 regular-season games for the rebuilding franchise last season, averaging 5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1 assist.
Gay is a reliable slasher who can also do some damage in the mid-range area. More importantly, he’s another veteran who understands his role and won’t expect a prominent position within the rotation. At 6-foot-8, Gay will also provide some additional size to Golden State’s bench rotation and reliable physicality.
Buy Warriors TicketsFree agent F Rudy Gay has agreed on a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, Sam Permut of @RocNationSports tells ESPN. Gay will compete for team’s open roster spot in camp. This will be his 18th NBA season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2023
Despite his 18-year NBA career, Gay has seldom participated in the postseason. The veteran has 19 playoff games to his name. Gay last tasted playoff basketball in 2019, when he was still with the San Antonio Spurs. Nevertheless, Gay could still have a role – however minimal – for the Warriors, especially as a veteran scorer who can plug gaps when required.
Golden State still has one open roster spot. Mike Dunleavy could head into the new season with a 14-man roster, allowing the front office some flexibility in the buy-out and trade market. Or, the Warriors could look to add one more piece to their rotation, most likely at the center position.
Gay will now team up with the Warriors once their training camp begins at the start of October.