Usman Garuba will stay in the NBA for the foreseeable future, as he signed a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors. Chus Mateo commented on the rumors that associated Real Madrid with the player.
Usman Garuba agreed with the Golden State Warriors on a two-way deal, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported.
After leaving the Houston Rockets this summer, the Spanish center had been a free agent. Now, he’s expected to split time between the Bay Area franchise and the G League.
Garuba, 21, has just played in the FIBA World Cup with Spain, being eliminated in the group stage. Growing up at Real Madrid, Garuba was the 23rd pick in the 2021 draft by the Houston Rockets, but he didn’t get a leading role in the Texan franchise. Last year he averaged 2.8 points and 3.9 rebounds with the Rockets, before leaving at the end of the season.
Golden State currently only has one player (Lester Quinones) on a two-way deal, leaving a pair of open slots. Garuba’s contract will pay him $559,782 and will make him eligible to appear in up to 50 regular-season contests. However, if the Warriors are carrying fewer than 15 players on standard contracts, they’ll only be able to use their two-way players for up to 90 combined games.
Just a few hours before the deal was reported, Real Madrid coach Chus Mateo answered a question regarding the rumors that linked the international big man with the EuroLeague champions.
“I don’t have Garuba [at my disposal],” Mateo said. “I would love to, but those are decisions that the player must make. Last year you asked me about [Facundo] Campazzo. You train what you’ve got,” he commented.