Warriors photos today: Basketball is back in action & it’s smiles all around

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The Warriors find out crucial injury news about a veteran guard just in time for the first preseason game.

For the time being, at least, the Golden State Warriors have settled the subject of who should start. The Warriors will be without Draymond Green for a while due to an ankle injury, so Chris Paul will join Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney in the starting lineup. There will be some questions following Green’s return, but Steve Kerr shouldn’t jump to any conclusions just yet.

The Warriors had to make the difficult decision of cutting players during training camp. One of the many qualified candidates is veteran guard Rodney McGruder.

Rodney McGruder is currently in concussion protocol, so he won’t be able to play in the Warriors’ preseason opening this weekend against the Los Angeles Lakers, as reported by Anthony Slater of The Athletic.Slater thinks the Warriors shouldn’t penalize Rodney McGruder for his poor play against the Lakers. The Warriors have 13 players signed to regular, guaranteed contracts, leaving two spots open on the roster. McGruder is competing for a spot in the NBA All-Star Game alongside players like Rudy Gay, a seasoned NBA veteran.

Last season, McGruder was a member of the Detroit Pistons. He played in 32 games (12 starts) and averaged 5.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 40.8 field goal percentage, 42.3 three-point percentage, and 81.8 free throw percentage.

McGruder spent a combined seven seasons in the NBA with the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers. In preparation for the 2016–17 NBA season, the Heat drafted him from the G League after he went overlooked in the 2013 NBA Draft.