The Golden State Warriors will finally get some much-needed reinforcements, as Willie Cauley-Stein and Alec Burks are set to make their 2019-20 NBA regular season debuts versus the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
One of Steve Kerr’s prized offseason acquisitions alongside D’Angelo Russell, Cauley-Stein was expected to take over the Dubs’ starting center spot before hurting his foot last month in a team scrimmage.
The 26-year-old slotman has fully recovered and has already participated in full-contact practice with the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State's G League affiliate. He signed a one year, veteran minimum deal worth $1.7 million with the Warriors after four seasons with the Sacramento Kings.
Burks, on the other hand, will also make his Warriors debut after recovering from a right ankle sprain. The 10-year pro adds veteran depth at the wing for the Dubs and can also assume the role of a mentor for the young guys — a post previously assumed by Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston in the past seasons.
Fielding a depleted roster this year, the Warriors have not looked like their usual formidable selves and have gone 1-2 to start the season.
The team’s depth — particularly at the center position — took another hit when Kevin Looney re-aggrevated his hamstring injury against the New Orleans Pelicans, leaving last-minute training camp invitee Marquese Chriss as the team’s only option at the 5 spot.
Golden State hopes to use the momentum from their Pelicans victory to finally get on the right track after ugly losses to the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
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