The Warriors used their final two-way slot on Graham Ike, giving the 6-foot-9 center a two-year deal after his strong summer league run, according to ClutchPoints’ Kenzo Fukuda.
Golden State had already filled two-way spots with LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons, so Ike completes that group. The move also comes after the team initially brought him in on an Exhibit-10 contract shortly after the NBA draft, when he was viewed as one of the more sought-after undrafted free agents.
Ike earned his way into the contract with production in summer league. Across nine games, he put up 10.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per contest while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 78.9 percent at the line. He also flashed a soft touch around the rim, scoring on floaters and push shots in the lane, and showed some range by knocking down face-up jumpers from about 18 feet.
That blend of skill, size and strength - at 6'9" and 250 pounds - made him look like an NBA player somewhere, and Golden State moved quickly to keep him from landing elsewhere. The two-way deal allows him to split time between the Warriors and Santa Cruz this season.
There’s a clear basketball logic to the move, especially with the Warriors’ three centers on standard contracts carrying injury histories. As the source puts it, it feels inevitable that Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Charles Bassey will miss time at some point.
Still, the roster picture isn’t perfectly clean. The Warriors could have used more wing depth, particularly with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody out indefinitely because of knee injuries. Leons does offer some size and versatility on the wing, but his shooting from deep could keep him from sticking in the rotation.
Golden State also had other options for that final two-way opening. Lajae Jones could have been the pick, though he now appears headed for an overseas stash since the Warriors have no roster spots left to hand out.
If the team wanted another guard-wing type, Chance McMillian was in the mix too. At 6'3", he’s shorter than a typical wing, but his shooting and defense could have fit.
Ike just turned 24, which naturally raises questions about how much upside is left. But the Warriors are clearly betting on what he already is: a big, experienced, well-built center who can help when called upon. Expect him to get several call-ups to Golden State.
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