The Golden State Warriors are bringing Alex Toohey back into the fold ahead of NBA Summer League, even though the Australian forward won’t actually suit up.
Toohey, whom Golden State took 52nd overall in last year’s draft after moving back from No. 41 to get him and guard Will Richard, had been waived last December after a season-ending knee injury. He began his rookie year on a two-way deal, but the latest move suggests the Warriors still haven’t closed the door on him.
According to Joseph Dycus of the Mercury News, Toohey is on the roster but has not been cleared to return from the knee injury, which is why he won’t play. Even so, his presence around the team points to a possible path back, with training camp a realistic next step and another shot at a two-way contract not out of the question.
Toohey also got a look in Summer League last year, and the numbers were uneven. He averaged 6.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 21.6 minutes per game, but shot only 26.2% from the field and 23.5% from beyond the arc. His best outing came against the Utah Jazz, when he scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds while matching up with eventual tournament MVP Kyle Filipowski.
Before the injury, Toohey logged two games for Santa Cruz in the G League. One of those was a 13-point, four-rebound effort against the Stockton Kings, in which he came off the bench and played fewer than 20 minutes.
While Toohey stays on the sideline, Golden State’s Summer League attention will center on Yaxel Lendeborg, the 11th overall pick who drew strong praise for his impact and play during the first day of practice on Monday. The roster also includes Richard, this year’s 54th overall pick Lajae Jones, and two-way players LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons, both of whom saw major minutes for the injury-hit Warriors late last season.
Golden State opens the California Classic against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 3, then begins the Las Vegas portion of Summer League on July 9 against the Dallas Mavericks.
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