Daekwon Plowden has made a name for himself with a strong showing for the Warriors' NBA Summer League team and is making a strong case that his tenure with Golden State should extend well beyond the team's July schedule.
Following a dominant performance in the Warriors' 90-73 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, Plowden earned high praise from Golden State's summer league coach Anthony Vereen, who expressed confidence that the dynamic forward has earned his chance to perform at the highest level of professional basketball.
“he [Plowden] “He proved he deserves to be in the NBA,” Vereen told reporters. “I just embraced him.” [Santa Cruz Warriors general manager] “Ryan Atkinson is on my roster and they've really proven that they're close to where they want to be. He plays very hard and aggressively on both ends. He doesn't take a break. It's a joy to see him in a better position as a coach.”
Part of what makes Prowden an attractive option is his ability to impact the game efficiently within the natural flow of the offense, a key skill for a player hoping to earn a spot on the back end of an NBA roster.
“If you're going to be a role player at the next level in the flow of the game, you're not going to have somebody else make plays for you,” Vereen explained. “Having a guy who doesn't have to be told to play and can play the dirty plays and do the little things and be efficient and effective shows that you can play a role in the NBA.”
Plowden's ability to score without disrupting the rhythm of his attack is something the 25-year-old winger also possesses, and he agreed with Vereen's observation about his efficient approach to the game.
“The way I eat, I feel like it's all in the flow. Tonight [we’re] “It's just flowing,” Plowden said after Saturday's win.
When asked if his recent success has led him to think about a possible NBA contract at the end of summer league, Plowden said he's focused on what's in front of him, citing the value of having the freedom to play without the distractions of the future.
“I try not to think about it too much. I just think if it's going to happen, it's going to happen,” Plowden told reporters. “It's going to happen if I go out there and show what I can do within the organization and how the organization is run. I feel like it puts more pressure on me thinking about it. Right now I'm just playing free.”
After going undrafted in 2022, Plowden has played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder in the past two summer league seasons, but his success with Golden State has him closer than ever to achieving his NBA dream, and it looks like third time's a charm.
The Warriors have one spot open on their two-way roster, and Plowden made the case as strongly as anyone that he deserves to make the jump to the next level.
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