The Golden State Warriors couldn’t wait any longer: per multiple reports, the franchise is signing current forward Juan Toscano-Anderson to a two-year deal, good for extra cash this season and a guaranteed veteran’s minimum in 2021-22.
Toscano-Anderson has been a large part of the Warriors’ playoff push while using an eight-man rotation, due mostly to injuries in the frontcourt. His versatility and hustle, and his improved 3-point shot, have often boosted Golden State’s efforts. He’s done it all while on a 2-way contract, but those days are over.
And that veteran’s minimum? It’s a sizable chunk of change. Here’s more insight from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Connor Letourneau, who confirmed the above report.
His new deal will earn him additional money this season and fully guarantee him for 2021-22 at the minimum salary of $1.7 million. Toscano-Anderson, 28, is slated to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2022.
Connor Letourneau/San Francisco Chronicle
This is fantastic to see. Toscano-Anderson’s path to the NBA was a long and winding road. The Oakland native went undrafted out of Marquette and had to pay his dues playing professionally in Mexico before hustling his way into Golden State’s developmental system.
Now, he’s part of the Warriors’ immediate future plans, which include competing for a championship next season, when All-Star guard Klay Thompson returns to the team’s core of superstar guard Stephen Curry and the one and only Draymond Green.
It’s a storybook tale, but one that’s certainly not over. Judging from Toscano-Anderson’s path to the pros, he could just be getting started. But today, well, he’s got every right to be ecstatic.
And here’s the Warriors’ official Twitter account confirming the big news. You can easily see Toscano-Anderson’s smile through his mask.
(Photo credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)
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