Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors: Five D-League Shooters Who Could Help

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:52 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Ti Windisch/FanSided via Hoops Habit

Feb 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) has his shot blocked by Golden State Warriors guard Briante Weber (2) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors have already signed and then let go of one NBA Development League player, but there are more guys who could help the Dubs in the D-League.

There is a lot of hyperbole going around about the Golden State Warriors this season. There's been talk of the team being both over- and underrated, of the team relying on Kevin Durant too much (who wouldn't?) and of the Warriors not having enough shooters.

That last point stands out. On the surface, it seems ridiculous. How could the team with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson not have enough shooting? Well, quietly, the Dubs actually have been surviving without enough outside shooters.

As Carter Rodriguez detailed over at the FanSided mothership, there are a lot less shooters in Golden State than there were last season. Such is life when clearing salary cap room for a player of Durant's caliber.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets sucking up most of the available NBA players who are threats from long-range during the NBA trade deadline and buyout season, and the Minnesota Timberwolves stealing away Omri Casspi, how can Golden State add shooters now, should they want to?

The NBA D-League is an option. The Warriors were giving Briante Weber a shot before Durant's injury, which caused the Dubs to go after Matt Barnes.

There's no guarantee Golden State is interested in signing anybody else, but there are options out there if the Warriors do feel like they could use some more deep threats.

Here are five of them, all currently balling out in the NBA D-League and available to be signed by Golden State as soon as the Dubs clear a roster spot.

Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Vander Blue (12) dribbles against Sacramento Kings guard Nik Stauskas (10) in the first half during the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Vander Blue

Vander Blue technically wouldn't be a rookie thanks to his whopping 89 minutes of NBA experience, but it's safe to say he's never gotten a real shot to thrive in the NBA. Opponents who have to guard him in the D-League probably wish he would.

The former Marquette standout can flat-out score. He's scored at least 23 points per game in his last three NBADL seasons, with the most recent two of those also featuring Blue taking over five three-pointers per game.

Blue is a career 36.2 percent three-point shooter in the D-League, and he's taken over 750 threes in his time there. This is far from a small sample size–Blue can really hit shots from downtown.

He hasn't found similar success in the NBA yet, but Blue barely got a shot to play up there. If a team really worked him into their system and put him in positions to succeed, Blue could likely continue to score and hit shots on the NBA level as he has in college and the D-League.

Sep 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Kevin Murphy (55) poses for a photo during media day at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Murphy

There are lots of good Kevins in the NBA, and throughout NBA history. Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Kevin McHale and Kevin Garnett all come to mind. Kevin Murphy isn't currently in the NBA and he's not on any of those guys' levels, but he might be another good Kevin.

Murphy played 17 games with the Utah Jazz back in the 2012-13 NBA season, and hasn't played in the Association since those 52 minutes. It might be time for that to change. Murphy is a journeyman who has bounced around the D-League and Europe, but he's balling out in the U.S. right now.

With a whopping 306 attempts from long-range already this season, Murphy has been firing away from deep. He's also been making plenty of those shots–Murphy is shooting 41.5 percent from deep and scoring nearly 23 points per game.

At 27 years old Murphy isn't exactly a young prospect anymore, but the Warriors don't need him to be. If he can simply continue to hit a lot of his threes and provide some floor spacing to the Dubs, Murphy would be a valuable addition to the team.

He's also got a history with Golden State, after playing with the Warriors in 2013 Summer League after being included in the Andre Iguodala trade.

Jan 26, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Pierre Jackson (55) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Pierre Jackson

Pierre Jackson spent some time with the Dallas Mavericks earlier this season, and didn't look fantastic in spot minutes. The Mavs ended up swapping him out for Yogi Ferrell, who certainly would've been on this list had Dallas not swiped him already.

Jackson is back in the D-League now, and he's hooping well enough to earn another shot at the big time. The 25-year-old was a D-League All-Star back in 2013-14, and has spent time in Europe since then. Like Murphy though, he's back with a vengeance now.

With an emphasis on three-point shooting emerging in the NBA, the D-League has followed suit. Jackson has as well; he's taking over seven three-pointers a game with the Texas Legends, and nailing an impressive 38.5 percent of them.

Jackson's per game statistics with the Legends are downright impressive. In addition to his deadeye shooting, he's putting up 24.1 points, 7.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. All of those numbers will scale down in the NBA, but even if they take hits across the board Jackson could still be useful at the next level.

Mar 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies forward Jalen Jones (12) celebrates after a 3-point basket against the Oklahoma Sooners during a West Regional semifinal of the NCAA Tournament at the Honda Center. Oklahoma defeated Texas A&M 77-63. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Jones

Jalen Jones was on the Boston Celtics for training camp, but ended up getting cut and then signed by the Maine Red Claws before the season began. Although he's on the Red Claws, the Celtics do not have control over him like they do Abdel Nader–that's because the team holds Nader's draft rights.

Jones went undrafted, so he's available to be signed by any team. The 6'7″ guard might find himself some work soon based on how this season in the NBA D-League has gone for him.

In almost 36 minutes exactly, Jones is averaging 21.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Jones' rebounding could help NBA teams out, as could his shooting.

Jones attempts nearly six three-pointers per game, and he knocks down 35.7 percent of them. He's not as capable from distance as some of the other names on this list, but his physical frame should be appealing to teams looking to add a shooter with some size.

Jones is about as tall as Warriors rookie Patrick McCaw, who the Dubs like because partially because of that length. Adding another sizable shooter could help out Golden State.

Dec 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past New Orleans Pelicans forward Reggie Williams (5) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Williams II

Reggie Williams had a promising rookie season with the Golden State Warriors back in 2009-10. In 24 games and 10 starts, Williams posted 15.2 points per game on nearly 50 percent field goal shooting and 35.9 percent three-point shooting.

Williams then played 80 games with the Warriors in the next season, before bouncing around the NBA a bit in the years afterwards. Most recently he played six games with the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this season, but was let go earlier in March.

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Williams has the most NBA experience of anybody on this list. He's 30 years old, meaning rebuilding teams likely won't have much interest in him. A contender like the Warriors presents a perfect opportunity, though.

Golden State isn't looking for a project player. If the Dubs were going to add another shooter from the D-League, someone with NBA experience makes sense. His past with the Warriors makes the fit even better, although Warriors GM Bob Myers came in right around when Williams was departing the Dubs.

Williams is converting on 40.3 percent of his 6.0 three-point attempts per game in the D-League, and scoring over 18 points per game. It would be fantastic to watch Golden State give him another shot at the NBA level, especially on a team as good as the Warriors are.

There's no guarantee the Golden State Warriors see fit to make any more roster moves this season, but if they do look to add a shooter the D-League provides affordable, quality options.

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