In a move that has sent ripples through the NBA community, the Golden State Warriors made the tough call to waive two promising players, center Marques Bolden and guard Taevion Kinsey, following their 118-111 preseason victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. The decision, announced via a Warriors PR news release on Wednesday, comes as the team fine-tunes its roster ahead of their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
The Warriors’ win against Portland showcased their depth and resilience, even without key players like Draymond Green and Miami’s Jimmy Butler, who did not feature in the lineup. The team overcame an earlier 21-point deficit in a previous preseason matchup against the Trail Blazers, proving their mettle. Rookie Will Richard emerged as a standout, offering a glimpse of the Warriors’ future potential. However, despite the positive momentum, the front office opted to part ways with Bolden and Kinsey, two players who had been fighting for a spot on the roster.
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Marques Bolden’s basketball journey has been one of perseverance. A highly touted recruit entering Duke University, Bolden was expected to be a one-and-done talent destined for the NBA. However, his college career spanned three seasons, with consistent playing time only materializing in his junior year. Going undrafted in 2019, Bolden has since navigated a challenging professional path, signing multiple two-way and Exhibit 10 contracts across various teams.
His most notable NBA stint came during the 2023-24 season with the Charlotte Hornets, where he played nine games, including two starts. Bolden has also shown promise in the G League, but securing a permanent NBA roster spot has remained elusive. His brief time with the Warriors in the preseason saw him come off the bench for limited minutes, but it wasn’t enough to earn him a longer stay with the team.
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Taevion Kinsey, a five-year standout at Marshall University, entered the professional scene with high expectations after a stellar college career. In his final season, Kinsey averaged an impressive 22.1 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game, showcasing his versatility as a guard. Despite a respectable 40.4% three-point shooting percentage, his low volume of attempts (1.5 per game) may have contributed to him going undrafted in 2023.
Since signing an Exhibit 10 deal with the Utah Jazz, Kinsey has spent two seasons with their G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, averaging around 12 points per game. His time with the Warriors during the preseason offered hope of cracking an NBA roster, but the team’s decision to waive him suggests he’ll likely join the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G League affiliate, to continue honing his craft.
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With the Warriors’ roster already filled and their two-way contract spots occupied, the decision to waive Bolden and Kinsey reflects the harsh realities of NBA roster management. Both players showed flashes of potential in their limited preseason minutes, but the team’s depth and long-term strategy took precedence. For Bolden and Kinsey, the G League offers a platform to continue developing their skills, with the hope of earning a two-way or standard NBA contract in the future.
As Golden State prepares for their final preseason game against the Clippers, the focus will be on finalizing their roster and building chemistry ahead of the regular season. The emergence of players like Will Richard signals a bright future, but the decision to part ways with Bolden and Kinsey underscores the competitive nature of the NBA. For these two hopefuls, the journey continues in the G League, where they’ll look to make their mark and prove they belong on an NBA roster.