The Golden State Warriors completed two trades on Sunday.
After the more notable seven-team deal involving two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant, the Warriors traded a 6-foot-3 guard to the Memphis Grizzlies.
“The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team acquired the draft rights to Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack, the No. 59 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, from the Golden State Warriors.”
“As part of the deal, Memphis also acquired a future conditional second-round pick and the draft rights to wing Justinian Jessup, the No. 51 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, from Golden State for the draft rights to guard Will Richard, the No. 56 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.”
"Mashack was named to the 2024-25 SEC All-Defensive Team and helped lead Tennessee to its second straight Elite 8 appearance during his senior year in Knoxville."
"The 22-year-old California native started all 38 of his appearances for the Volunteers last season and averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.7 steals in 28.2 minutes while placing fourth in the SEC in defensive rating.”
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Many were confused after ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that the Warriors received Mashack in the historic Durant deal, considering Alex Toohey and Richard were the rookies the franchise traded for on draft night.
While Toohey will remain with the Warriors, Mashack will take his talents to a Grizzlies squad seeking their second consecutive playoff appearance in 2025-26.
Mashack’s offensive game is a work in progress, but his activity on the defensive end could have been beneficial to Steve Kerr and the Dubs.
That said, if Richard's summer league debut against the San Antonio Spurs is any indication of what’s to come for the Florida product in the big leagues (he finished with 16 points, four rebounds, and two steals), Golden State’s second unit will be in good hands.
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