After Draymond Green’s second-quarter ejection in Thursday’s loss to the Knicks, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr felt like he needed a passer capable of getting Golden State back into an offensive flow.
His answer: rookie two-way-contract player Nico Mannion, who entered the night with just eight minutes of NBA experience. In eight minutes against the Knicks, Mannion made good on Kerr’s faith in him, exhibiting a grasp of the Warriors’ read-and-react system as he totaled four assists.
Two nights later, in garbage time of Saturday’s blowout loss to the Jazz, Mannion posted eight points, four assists and a plus-minus of plus-21 in 10 minutes. Mannion’s poise and court vision reinforced what Kerr had gleaned from watching the No. 48 pick in November’s draft during recent practices: His ability outpaces his second-round pedigree.
Before Saturday’s game against the Jazz, Kerr said, “I can’t wait to play Nico more as the season goes on.”
The question is when Kerr will get that opportunity in non-blowouts. A crowded backcourt has forced Mannion, 19, to open his NBA career mostly anchored to the bench. Brad Wanamaker has emerged as a stabilizing presence as Stephen Curry’s primary backup at point guard. Green, who has had at least six assists in each of his past seven games, continues to be one of the league’s top point-forwards.
As a two-way-contract player, Mannion can play in only 50 of a possible 72 games with Golden State this season. It makes sense for the Warriors to preserve his availability in case they need another ball-handler to initiate the offense when they’re making a playoff push.
To ensure that he gets much-needed playing time, Golden State is sending Mannion to the upcoming G League bubble near Orlando. The Santa Cruz Warriors’ 15-game season, which starts Feb. 8, will allow him to see what it’s like running a professional offense for extended stretches.
The good news for the Warriors — even if Mannion doesn’t get many minutes with the big club as a rookie, they already recognize that he might fit in their long-term plans. His contract can be converted into a standard NBA contract with Golden State.
“The ball just moves when he’s on the floor,” Kerr said of Mannion, whose poor shooting efficiency during his lone season at Arizona dropped him down draft boards. “I went with him after we lost Draymond because I just felt like I should throw our next best passer out there, and that’s him.”
Connor Letourneau covers the Warriors for The San Francisco Chronicle.
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January 24, 2021 at 09:23AM
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