After an up-and-down preseason, Warriors big man Omari Spellman has leapt Marquese Chriss as the primary backup behind starting center Willie Cauley-Stein, coach Steve Kerr said Monday.
“It’s more because of Omari than Marquese,” Kerr said. “Omari has just played well, and I tend to reward guys when they play well and then stay with them and give them a real chance. So it’s just more about Omari’s progress.”
For Spellman, the promotion is vindication of the work he’s put in since training camp.
The Atlanta Hawks, who selected Spellman with the 30th pick in 2018, looked to move Spellman one year after drafting him when he showed up to Las Vegas Summer League overweight at 315 pounds.