Brad Wanamaker Reportedly Traded to Hornets from Warriors
March 25, 2021
The Charlotte Hornets reportedly acquired guard Brad Wanamaker from the Golden State Warriors ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Per The Athletic's Anthony Slater, the Warriors are getting cash back in the deal and will open up a roster spot "as buyout season approaches."
Per Slater, the team's move to trade Marquese Chriss to the San Antonio Spurs was also for cash considerations.
Wanamaker, 31, has appeared in 39 games for the Warriors this season, averaging 4.7 points and 2.5 assists while shooting just 35.3 percent from the field and 21.3 percent from three. With the Dubs giving more minutes to rookie Nico Mannion, Wanamaker fell out of the rotation and became expendable.
Grant Liffmann @GrantLiffmannWhen Wanamaker signed with the Warriors, I thought it was a solid pickup that could provide some spacing with consistent catch and shoot 3 pt shooting. I ultimately was wrong as it never worked out here. Hopefully Brad succeeds in a change of scenery. Seems like a good guy too
He should play a bigger role for a Charlotte team that is without rookie sensation LaMelo Ball, who is likely out for the season with a fractured right wrist.
The Hornets (22-21) are in the thick of the postseason picture, currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference. While Wanamaker won't come close to replacing Ball's impact or production, he'll offer the team a solid veteran guard with playoff experience.
As for the Warriors (22-22), they'll now have cash and two free roster spots to use on players who hit the buyout market. In essence, they traded two players who had fallen out of the rotation for the flexibility to add a player or two who could make a bigger impact for them down the stretch as they try to secure a playoff spot of their own.
The Dubs are currently 10th in the loaded West, good enough to get them into the play-in tournament.