Kawakami: Aaron Craft’s Play At Las Vegas Summer League Puts Pressure On Golden State Warriors, Nemanja Nedovic (Photo: Ryan Brown | Lets Go Warriors Instagram)
After a strong Las Vegas Summer League performance, Aaron Craft has found himself in a point guard controversy, or at least, whatever you would call the competition for the Warriors’ 3rd-string point guard position.
Earlier today, Tim Kawakami wrote that he believed the Warriors were considering declining Nemanja Nedovic‘s third year option, making him an unrestricted free agent after his second season:
“If the Warriors want to create a little more financial maneuverability next summer… Shaving out Nedovic’s $1.15M option might be a way to get in some advance pruning. They have to be considering this and I believe they are.”
The Warriors must make the decision by the start of the upcoming season, and as Kawakami points out, it might not be an easy one.
Nedovic has struggled at times, but the Warriors knew they were drafting a project point guard when they selected him 30th overall last season out of Serbia.
Injuries have derailed his development, and perhaps opened the door for a change in plans down the road.
Either way, Nedovic will likely be in a Warriors uniform this coming season, but now that Summer League is over, he’ll have to prove that there isn’t a better option for the Warriors in practice if he wants to stay another year.
In 5 games at UNLV, Craft made a strong impression on Steve Kerr with his defense, hustle and greater ability to run an NBA offense.
Anyone sitting court-side is sure to hear Craft’s constant instruction to teammates on both ends of the floor.
“I just try to come out and make an impact,” Craft told us after the Warriors’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks.For me that’s play defense, taking care of the ball, putting guys in position to be successful. That’s what I do and what I hope to continue to do.”
In 22 minutes a game, Craft averaged 7.4 points on 45.5% shooting, to go with 2.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 steals per game.
Neither player, as Kawakami points out, is likely to make a big impact anytime in the near future, but Craft would be both cheaper and non-guaranteed were the Warriors to sign him as a free agent.
One of the bigger revelations for scouts, in regards to Craft, was that he finished the tournament 3-8 from NBA 3PT distance after shooting just 30% from the college 3PT line in his final two seasons at Ohio State.
Craft said he hoped he showed that he was a better shooter than he was thought to be.
“I hope so. For me it’s just about being confident. I haven’t talked to anybody else. I don’t know what anybody else is saying,” Craft said. “So for me it’s just trying to continue to get better. I do have to continue to shoot the ball a little bit but I’m happy with where we’re at right now.”
If Craft doesn’t make an NBA team, he’s likely a strong candidate to end up a strong candidate for roster spot in Santa Cruz, where he’d be running the same offense as the Warriors’ NBA squad.
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