Free-agent forward Marquese Chriss has agreed to a one-year deal that will allow the former lottery pick to battle for a roster spot ahead of the 2019 NBA season. Chriss has reportedly signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Golden State Warriors according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes.
Free agent forward Marquese Chriss — 8th pick in 2016 NBA Draft — has reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 24, 2019
Though Marquese Chriss was drafted with the eighth overall pick just three years ago in the 2016 NBA Draft, his young career hasn’t gone as planned. Chriss came into his rookie year with the Phoenix Suns with plenty of hype around him but failed to produce, even while holding down a serviceable role in their system.
Chriss started 75 games his rookie season but only averaged 9.2 points and 4.2 rebounds. After a similar sophomore year, Chriss was traded midway through his third season to the Houston Rockets but didn’t stick there either.
Chriss would also play in 27 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season but had a minimal role, thus leading to them not re-signing him this summer. Now, Chriss will have another NBA chance with the Warriors as he vyes for a roster spot.
The Warriors have undertaken a new strategy this offseason, emphasizing depth and youth over star power. While they lost Kevin Durant, they turned around and acquired a myriad of young talent including D’Angelo Russell, Willie Cauley-Stein, Alec Burks and now giving Chriss another chance. It remains to be seen whether Chriss makes the final roster, but it’s certainly a storyline to monitor through the preseason.
