Mychal Mulder signs a multi-year contract, and there’s a chance he could be a part of the Warriors winning formula

Before long, many will look back at this season as a blessing a disguise, as a means for finding the next pieces for the future. The Golden State Warriors might have their starting center in Marquese Chriss, they have a much-needed wing player in Andrew Wiggins, and are slowly building depth throughout the roster. All key moves made in a “gap year.” 

This season has been about finding gems where others weren’t looking, making the most of the rest of the league’s missed opportunities. On Tuesday, the Warriors came to terms with another potential future piece in Mychal Mulder. 

Per Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Warriors and Mulder agreed to a multi-year contract that is a minimum salary deal, and not fully guaranteed beyond this season. He’ll suit up for the Warriors for the remainder of the season, and there’s a shot that he could be back next year. 

Mulder clearly impressed during his 10-day contract stint with the Warriors. So much that the organization wanted to keep him under team control beyond the offseason. 

In short: a great move for both sides. A great payoff for Mulder and a strategic move by Golden State that helps now, and into the future. 

For the Warriors, this season has been about building and preparing for the 2020 season and beyond. The latter portion is what many have to keep in mind, that the goal is not just to return to contention next season, but to stay relevant in the ever-competitive Western Conference into the future. 

The dynasty isn’t over: it’s on pause, it’s reloading, and it has to adapt. Finding the “next man up”, getting contributions from the role players, and building roster depth is essential. The San Antonio Spurs had a long-lasting core, but surrounding them with reliable pieces helped San Antonio fend off Father Time. 

That’s the task ahead for Golden State. 

Sure, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green will be back at full health to solidify the core, but they aren’t getting any younger. Last year’s NBA Finals showed that the deeper the rotation, the bigger advantage it has on the biggest stage. As did the 2015 NBA Finals. 

Remember, the first championship of this dynasty was won by the role players just as much as the core three. The likes of Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa, and later David West and Javale McGee, were all essential to a championship-winning formula. 

Strength in Numbers was, and still is, the mantra. 

The system of ball movement that the dynasty was founded upon is a work of art. But the spacing that the Splash Brothers create is a means to an end if others can’t capitalize. It helps to have reliable players that are confident in their role. 

And Mychal Mulder, who is averaging 12.3 points, 43.1 percent shooting, and 35.6 percent from three so far, very much looks like someone that is up to the task. A 6-4 guard that spent three years in the G-league, he finally found himself on a 10-day contract with Golden State. 

His comfort level of shooting the three should make his arrival to Golden State unsurprising, he torched the G-League at a near 40 percent rate through 39 games this season.  

That skill brought him to the Bay, but what can keep him around for the long-term is his ability to be a two-player. He was by all means up to the task of guarding Devin Booker in the Warriors’ 115-99 victory on Feb. 29. 

And should he return next season, there will be plenty of more elite guards to size up in the Western Conference.

But what he can really bring to the table is his unabashed confidence. It’s something that is not quantifiable in the box score. He looks like he knows the task at hand and is up for it because he’s earned the opportunity. Three years in the G-league can help cultivate that confidence. 

He fits with the Warriors on the court, and off it. 

As Mulder said to NBC Sports Bay Area: “This is a perfect fit for me. I don’t think there’s a better spot for me than Golden State to demonstrate what I can do and also fit into a system really well. This is where I want to be as long as they want me here.”