Warriors Sign Rockets Ex Usman Garuba

Forward Usman Garuba played two seasons with the Houston Rockets before signing a deal with the Warriors.

Usman Garuba, after playing his first two seasons for the Houston Rockets, has signed a two-way deal with the Golden State Warriors. 

At 21 years old, the 6-8 forward played 75 games with the Rockets last season, averaging 3.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game on 48.6% from the field. As a member of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in his rookie season, Garuba averaged 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 24.6 minutes over 11 games in the G League.

Usman Garuba hopes to bring "Draymond-like" intensity to the Golden State Warriors / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Selected with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2021 draft, Garuba hails from Madrid, Spain, and played with Real Madrid in Spain’s top league, Liga ACB.

Garuba joins a Warriors lineup that needs bruising big men. Kevon Looney and rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis fulfill that role, but Garuba's rebounding specialty will help the Warriors small-ball approach.

Alongside other young forwards in Jonathan Kuminga and the aforementioned Jackson-Davis, Garuba is in a prime situation to improve with the mentorship of veterans Draymond Green and Dario Saric.

Following his release from the Oklahoma City Thunder in August, Garuba made his intentions clear about his plans on the Warriors.

"“I’ll prove everyone wrong, mark my words,” he said after the Thunder let go of the forward.

Garuba brings a "Draymond-like" intensity to the Warriors, where he has spoken in the past about looking up to the fellow undersized big man.

“I want to prove that I can become one if not the best defensive players in the league,” Garuba said in an interview with HoopsHype.