The Golden State Warriors have left NBA fans and analysts scratching their heads after passing on a potential deal with former Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans big man Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the 24-year-old has inked a training camp deal with the Dallas Mavericks, a Western Conference rival, leaving Warriors fans wondering what could have been.
Earlier this month, Danny Emerman of the San Francisco Standard reported that the Warriors had worked out Robinson-Earl, sparking speculation about a potential roster addition. However, the Warriors’ apparent lack of interest became clear as Robinson-Earl signed with Dallas, a team already strapped for roster spots after waiving former first-round pick Olivier-Maxence Prosper to re-sign Australian guard Dante Exum. The Mavericks are also bringing in former Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr., further crowding their training camp roster.
Robinson-Earl, who averaged 6.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 18.8 minutes across 66 games for the Pelicans last season, showed promise despite an injury-plagued team. His nine starts highlighted his potential as a reliable frontcourt contributor. However, with New Orleans signing former Warrior Kevon Looney and drafting Derik Queen, Robinson-Earl’s time with the Pelicans came to an end. Now, he faces an uphill battle to secure a role in Dallas, where roster spots are scarce, and his four years of NBA experience make him ineligible for a two-way contract.
Meanwhile, the Warriors’ training camp roster remains in flux, with up to six spots potentially available as Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency lingers unresolved. Golden State has a slew of expected signings lined up once Kuminga’s future is settled, but there’s a strong chance they’ll head into camp with at least one open spot. This makes their decision to pass on Robinson-Earl all the more puzzling.
Adding intrigue to the Warriors’ offseason, Emerman also reported a workout with 6’9” guard Dalano Banton, a versatile playmaker who appeared in 67 games for the Portland Trail Blazers last season. Banton, who has also suited up for the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors, averaged 8.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 16.7 minutes per game. With Golden State lacking point guard depth behind two-time MVP Stephen Curry, Banton remains an unsigned free agent and could be a dark-horse candidate to bolster the backcourt.
As the Warriors prepare for training camp, their decision to bypass Robinson-Earl raises questions about their strategy. Are they holding out for a bigger move, or do they have a hidden gem in mind? Whatever the plan, Golden State’s front office seems confident in their direction, even if it’s left the NBA world buzzing with speculation. For now, Robinson-Earl will aim to make his mark in Dallas, while the Warriors continue to shape a roster that could shake up the Western Conference.