Offseason: Free Agency | Latest from Ken Berger | Rumors
Aaron Craft has signed a one-year, partially guaranteed contract with the Golden State Warriors, his agent, Lance Young, told Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group.
Craft averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.4 assists in five summer league games for the Warriors last month, earning high praise from coach Steve Kerr, a longtime admirer. Playing for the Warriors in Las Vegas after coming from Philadelphia's summer league team in Orlando, Craft more than doubled his minutes.
The point guard out of Ohio State had quite a following in college, but he went undrafted this year and there are doubts as to whether he can shoot well enough to get on the floor right away. He's a dogged defender, and won the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year award twice, but he'll need to prove he's not an offensive liability as a professional. Coaches have long praised his competitiveness, which means you can picture him starting his NBA career as an end-of-the-bench guy who pushes the starters in practice.
This news follows the Warriors being informed that Nemanja Nedovic suffered a stress fracture in his foot while competing for Serbia. This could be an opportunity for Craft, as Golden State lacks depth at the point guard position. Free-agent signee Shaun Livingston will obviously spend some time backing up Stephen Curry, but he'll also likely play some shooting guard and maybe even small forward.
Excited & grateful for the opportunity to take part in the @warriors training camp!The work has only just begun... #Blessed #Hungry
— Aaron Craft (@ACraft4) August 6, 2014
