Myers explains thinking on Warriors' final open roster spot

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The Warriors currently have one available spot on their 15-man roster, and several candidates to fill it in training camp. But that doesn't necessarily mean they will.

Warriors general manager Bob Myers is taking a wait-and-see approach with the final roster spot.

"At this point we're going to find out hopefully in the next couple weeks what the answer to that question is," Myers told reporters Tuesday when asked if the Warriors will enter the season with a full roster. "I think armed with kind of our taxpayer mid-level [exception], the disabled player exception, there's a chance we leave that spot available to see what happens as the season progresses. Obviously injuries, we've already been hit with one. That could change this answer. Somebody performing in camp, somebody getting waved that we really like. 

"At this point in time today, obviously we have 14. I'll answer that question better in the next week or so as we move forward. There's a scenario we add somebody, there's a scenario we don't, and be patient and wait till later in the season."

As a result of Klay Thompson's season-ending Achilles injury, the Warriors were granted a $9.3 million disabled player exception [DPE] by the NBA, which expires on April 19. At any point prior to that expiration date, they can use the DPE to sign a free agent or acquire a player in a trade who is on the last year of his contract whose salary is equal to or less than that value.

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When surveying the current free-agent market, though, there isn't an obvious candidate for the Warriors to sign using the DPE. They're likely better off waiting until a worthwhile opportunity presents itself -- if it ever does -- and Myers seems to agree.

"I think it's a great tool to have," he said. "We want to be smart about it. Sometimes you see that being utilized later in the buyout market when you have to beat out a team that's offering a little bit more money. A lot of good individual players that haven't played together, haven't played together for one second some of these guys. We'll spend camp and the preseason evaluating where we might have holes, where we might get better, what players are available. 

"The good thing about [Warriors owner] Joe [Lacob], I referenced this when we did the press conference for the rookies, you guys and gals all see him do it, so if it helps us win, I think he'll move in that direction. If it's just a lateral move, I would actually tell him not to do it if it doesn't make sense. Don't waste money if it's not going to help us. We'll keep our eye on it and see if it makes sense."

The Warriors will have a full roster at some point this season. When exactly that will be, though, remains to be seen. 

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