Report: Warriors Signing Summer League Title Game Standout

Summer league championship game standout Deivon Smith is signing a contract with the Golden State Warriors, his agent told The Consensus NBA.

The type of contract has not been revealed, but it is likely an Exhibit 10 contract.

The expectation for most players who sign Exhibit 10 contracts is they compete in training camp and preseason for the more coveted two-way contract spots. Each team has three two-way contract spots to give out.

If Smith doesn't get one of those two-way spots, the Exhibit 10 contract would make him eligible for a bonus if he returns to the Warriors' G League affiliate after being waived.

Smith was acquired by the Santa Cruz Warriors in February, and he immediately proved he was one of the better players in the G League. The 6'0" point guard averaged 17.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists in nine games with Santa Cruz.

In the summer league championship game, he had 21 points (9-of-14 shooting), nine rebounds and three assists, helping the Warriors beat the Grizzlies 94-90.

Smith, 24, is entering his second professional season. He spent five seasons playing college basketball, most recently averaging 9.3 points and 3.9 assists for St. John's.

Warriors' Battle for Two-Way Spots

The Warriors currently have LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons on two-way contracts. Smith, second-round pick Lajae Jones and summer league starting center Graham Ike should be in the mix for two-ways as well.

To finalize the roster, the first domino is deciding what to do with Cryer.

The 6'0" marksman had an impressive stint with Golden State last season, shooting 39.4 percent on 5.2 three-point attempts per game.

The Warriors have two standard contract roster spots available, and they can upgrade Cryer's contract if they'd like.

The benefits to doing so are a) not having to deal with a roster crunch after he uses his 50-active-games limit on the NBA roster b) opening up an extra two-way spot for someone else.

The issue with doing so is the Warriors might have two outside free agents they want to sign, but they can only sign one if they give Cryer one of those spots.

If the Dubs keep Cryer on a two-way deal, it hurts Smith's chances to get a two-way. They likely wouldn't want to have two small guards on two-way deals.

If Cryer's contract gets upgraded, then they'd have Smith, Leons, Jones and Ike potentially battling for three spots.

I've been speculating that Leons' spot isn't as set in stone as it looks. Yes, he currently has a two-way spot, but he can be released from it any time.

My guess is Smith will get a two-way contract from somebody this season. So if the Warriors don't offer him one, he'll go elsewhere instead of staying with Santa Cruz on a G League contract.

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