Warriors cut ties with 6-foot-5 guard, sign ex-Grizzlies forward originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
As unfortunate as it may be, a standout preseason performance will never guarantee a player an NBA roster spot ahead of opening night.
A 6-foot-5 combo guard learned that last Sunday when the Golden State Warriors waived him to make room for an ex-Memphis Grizzlies forward.
"The Golden State Warriors have waived guard Miles Kelly," the franchise stated in a press release. “In a related move, the Warriors have signed free agent forward Tyler Burton. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.”
Kelly was outstanding for the Dubs in their third preseason game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers, showcasing his floor spacing ability as an off-ball threat and distribution chops while taking defenders off the dribble. The Auburn product finished with 24 points, seven rebounds, and six assists while committing only one turnover in 28 minutes.
With Kelly logging only 13 total minutes in the Warriors’ first two preseason games and not having the same offensive impact, it’s safe to say outing No. 3 was his breakout moment with the seven-time NBA champions.
Still, Golden State felt compelled to move on from the Stone Mountain, Georgia native and allow Burton to compete for a roster spot in mid-October. Burton, who signed two 10-day contracts with the Grizzlies last year, averaged 10.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on 37.5% shooting from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc in 12 outings to conclude his second professional season.
Time will tell whether Burton makes Golden State his permanent NBA home.
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