The Developmental Value of the Santa Cruz Warriors Has Been Priceless For Golden State, This Season Has Highlighted That

Remember in high school, when the playoffs would start, and you would notice a string of kids at the end of the bench-- seeming out place with oversized jerseys on. 

You know, when the junior varsity kids would be moved up to varsity for the playoffs. Some games, if it was a blowout, they would get in—while in others they wouldn't. They would go from being the best player on their team and leading their squad in scoring, to sitting on the bench wearing a jersey number that most of us didn't even know were basketball numbers.

Varsity and JV have a weird relationship. The varsity players are the "proven," talented jocks who have their tables, their lockers, the attention, and according to Grease, the best love lives. Meanwhile, the life of a JV player looks totally different. Most of the school doesn't really know their names, they get the last dibs at the locker—sometimes they aren't even in the same locker room—and, according to High School Musical, they don't have a seat at the table. 

So what would you say if I told you these two worlds collided?

That's what's happening in the Bay. The month of February brought a slew of ten day contracts—bringing in some spark plugs from the G-League. Those guys who the fan base may not have known a few months ago are now the root of fan-made posters and are included in the team's pregame videos. Those oversized jerseys are fitted for those players. And the jock, who has the girl and the name and some MVPs, was sent to play with that sometimes forgotten team. It's almost like an episode of Degrassi.

So why is the Warriors’ G-League Affiliate an afterthought to the fan base?

While the league has come a long way from its beginnings-- having just eight teams during its inaugural season-- the league's teams still have their needs for improvement in the marketing standpoint. Many of their games aren't marketed through the team's affiliate despite 28 of the 30 NBA teams owning an affiliate. On top of that, it is even harder to find the venue and ticket sales for those games. The casual fan doesn't realize that each G-League affiliate doesn't share the name of their NBA counterpart-- and represent neighboring cities-- despite 40% of the players on opening-night rosters spending time in the G-League. 

Marketing plays a significant role in the G-League understanding, but it doesn't take away from the overall contribution the league has given to the NBA. Players like Chris Middleton, Pascal Siakim, Rudy Gobert, CJ McCollum, Lou Williams, Alex Caruso, and so many more have come from the G-League where they were able to develop into the players they are today.

In the same sense, the Santa Cruz Warriors have played a vital role in facilitating some of the role players the Dub Nation Faithful adored. Back in 2017, after spraining his MCL, the Warriors were left Stephen Curry-less for a chunk of games leading into the playoffs. Warriors General Manager Bob Myers was forced to look into the G-League for a ball handler.

Insert Quinn Cook. 

The then-journeyman, trying to find a role in the NBA, took to the G-league to keep his dreams alive.

"I think how the NBA uses the G League," Cook said back in 2017, "...sending guys, drafting and stashing players, assigning players … and now with the two-way, so many eyes are on the G League and it gives you an opportunity to audition for 30 NBA teams on a nightly basis." 

As the starting point guard with the Santa Cruz Warriors, Cook averaged a team-high 25.3 points and 8.1 assists. After being assigned to the Golden State Warriors, Cook earned a roster spot signing a multi-year deal-- forcing the Warriors to cut then-forward Omari Caspi.

Along with Cook, Santa Cruz also developed current Heat star Kendrick Nunn, who spent last season with the Dubs’ G-League affiliate before signing with Miami in the off-season. Nunn averaged 19 points per game for Santa Cruz, finding his niche as a sharpshooter.

One of Nunn's teammates, and current starter Damion Lee, also reaped the benefits of Santa Cruz-- earning a three-year contract with the Warriors.

Currently, Steve Kerr is using Santa Cruz as a locality for the current young guys to develop and get reps. 

In late December, Warriors' guard Jordan Poole was sent to Santa Cruz after struggling to find his shot in the NBA, shooting 25% from the field. In his first three games in Santa Cruz, Poole 26.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 4.7 apg shooting 46.3% from the three. He led the G-League in scoring during his stint with Santa Cruz.

Ky Bowman and Marquese Chriss have also had their fair share of Santa Cruz games.

Rookie forward Alen Smailagic has also been assigned to the G-League for developmental purposes. In this case, Smailagic is on a four-year contract with the Dubs but will see extended time in the G-League.

Smailagic is a long-term project for the Warriors. Though he is not expected to play a significant role for Golden State this season, the 19-year-old from Serbia has shown in Santa Cruz why the organization is emboldened by his development.

Smailagic has emerged as one of the best players in the G League-- flashing natural shooting touch and passing ability that should translate to the next level. His blend of size and skill makes him an ideal frontcourt player for the modern NBA-- precisely the floor spacing based Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors coaching staff believes Smailagic is around a year away from being ready to consistently contribute in the NBA, but are confident in his upside.

The Warriors have him on a carefully-crafted workout regimen to make sure he can one day contend with the bigger, faster bodies that await him in the NBA. His fitness plan also includes improving his core strength and lateral mobility so that he can switch and stay in front of perimeter players. 

The plan is overseen by director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini and executed down the ranks-- down to the Santa Cruz staff, which is primarily in charge of executing that plan.

Another hidden gem brewing in Santa Cruz is NBA vet Jonathon Simmons. The former Spur is looking to revive his NBA career and has strong hopes that the Bay is the place to do it.

“Jonathon has been on our radar,” Kent Lacob, Director of Team Development, revealed on "Warriors Outsiders" last Saturday night. “We've actually talked to him over the course of the season. Now, he decided it was the right time for him to come and give it a go. And it was a good time for us to bring him in. With Juan going up to Golden State, it created a vacancy at that spot.

"Obviously, his goal is to get back to the NBA but he's also committed to help us win while he's here."

The NBA G-League prides itself on preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league's research and development laboratory. 

Players in the G-League are given a surplus of opportunities that include basketball development, life skills mentorship, and academic scholarship.

Each team's affiliate facilitates the league's overall goals, as well as their parent team's mission. 

The Santa Cruz Warriors are no different. The current head coach, Kris Weems, served as one of the Golden State Warriors' player development coaches and scout from 2011-2014. 

Weems also spent three years as director of athletics for the Menlo School in Atherton, California (2014-17). In four collegiate seasons at Stanford, Weems averaged 10.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists over 124 games to lead the Cardinals to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the 1998 Final Four.

Weems is the point person for the development of the Warriors' G-league players. He was part of the development of Kendrick Nunn, Quinn Cook, Kent Bazemore, and Justin Holiday.

And last week, Weems had his hand in the rehabilitation of a new G-Leaguer named Stephen Curry.

The Warriors sent the two time MVP to Santa Cruz for "condition purposes." After a quick round of introductions, Weems immediately threw Curry into action.

The problem, Weems discovered, was that Stephen Curry did not always listen to directions.

"Sometimes, I'd draw up a play for him," Weems said, "and we wouldn't quite get to that wrinkle."

Mainly because once Curry found an ounce of space against his defender, he was going to shoot the ball. Weems was willing to live with the results, though. It is not often that a unanimous MVP shows up for a practice in the G-League.

"I'll tell you what: It raises my credibility as a coach," Weems said. "If I can yell at Steph, I can yell at our guys."

The jock stepping into the small gym to run with the JV team spoke to the culture of the Warriors' overall organization, showing their culture runs deep.

The JV team develops the next generation of Danny Zukos, Troy Boltons, and every other jock from cliche high school movies. The G-League is no different. Prided on the development of the future of the National Basketball Association, the G-League is the gateway for that player who may not be ready right now but has a dream he's not prepared to give up on.

That concept is evident in the story of Quinn Cook, Kendrick Nunn, Justin Holiday, and current Warriors Damion Lee, Alen Smailagic, Jordan Poole, Marquese Chriss, and Ky Bowman. Also, to add to this list, Golden State announced today that Mychal Mulder and the Warriors have agreed to a multi-year contract. Mulder had just finished his 10-day contract with the Warriors and after being able to prove his worth in such a short amount of time earned himself a long term deal with Golden State. The guard was in the middle of having a great season with the G-League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 17.0 points and 4.5 rebounds with a 39.9 three-point percentage in 39 games before joining the Warriors on the 10-day contract.

For the squad off the I-80, utilizing that development will be crucial for next year, and Weems and the rest of the Santa Cruz Warriors staff are ready to give them something to work with.