With a couple roster spots left to decide, the Golden State Warriors are giving themselves options, albeit in this case with a maybe less-than-welcome option.
Golden State tends to use training camp and the preseason to let players compete for their final spot or spots available. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, veteran wing Rodney McGruder will be part of that mix this camp.
The signing is particularly interesting given fact that the Warriors had a little bit of beef with McGruder. In that 2021 bubble season, there was a little bit of a scuffle at the end of a game between the Warriors and Pistons.
Klay Thompson, recovering from injury at the time, was on the broadcast and was asked what happened. He ripped McGruder.
“This dude might be out of the league soon, he’s probably mad about that,” Thompson said. “He’s over here checking my guy… He’s over here trying to start something like he’s a good player or something. It’s like bro, get out of here. I’m sorry, we’re done.”
After the game, Draymond Green went even harder at McGruder.
“Apparently he was taking up for Wayne Ellington.” Green said. “When the fuck did Rodney McGruder become the tough guy of the team?”
“I don’t know man, everybody in the league ‘tough’ these days, it’s crazy. I’ve seen a lot of ‘tough guys’ this year. I don’t understand it, and don’t nobody do anything. If you really wanted to do something, you could’ve done it. Walk over there talking shit like he’s the team tough guy. Get the hell outta here. Fucking tough guy, Rodney. Rodney. Fucking tough guy.”
The 32-year-old wing has played seven season in the league, and averaging 5.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game last season on 40.8 percent shooting from the field and 42.3 percent shooting from deep in 16.4 minutes per game.
Now, they’re all teammates, at least for the summer leading into the season.