Warriors sign free agent point guard to back up Steph Curry, Chris Paul

The Warriors were in need of a backup point guard option with Steph Curry and Chris Paul expected to miss at least a handful of games next season for load management. The Warriors signed Cory Joseph to a one-year veteran minimum contract as the third point guard option off the bench, sources confirmed to this news organization.

Joseph, 31, will fill the third string point guard job previously held by two-way player Ty Jerome, who signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors had extended Jerome a qualifying offer, but decided not to match Cleveland’s offer.

At 6-foot-5, Joseph is a taller point guard who plays a more traditional point guard role as a distributor and strong point-of-attack defender. As second apron luxury tax violators, the Warriors can only hand out veteran minimum contracts to free agents such as Joseph, who will earn approximately $3 million as a 12-year NBA veteran.

Joseph has played for five NBA teams, including the San Antonio Spurs for four seasons and, more recently, the Detroit Pistons from 2020-21 to last season. Joseph averaged 19.8 minutes per game in 62 games played last year with the Pistons, averaging 6.9 points and 3.5 assists per game.

The Warriors filled 12 of their 15 roster spots, though they’re expected to carry 14 players heading into the year. The Warriors are still eyeing stretch big Dario Saric as a free agent acquisition to fill one of their final two spots, according to league sources.

Staff writer Madeline Kenney contributed to this report.