The Golden State Warriors have been given a huge opportunity to fulfill their pre-draft interest in Walter Clayton Jr., with the former first-round pick [now available after being waived](https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2112285618973880798) by the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.
Clayton has fallen victim to a roster crunch at the Grizzlies on the eve of the season. Memphis were unable to find a trade for the former 18th overall pick, leaving them to waive Clayton and former New Orleans Pelicans wing Micah Peavy.
Walter Clayton Jr. now within Warriors' reach after Grizzlies exit
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The Warriors liked Clayton during the pre-draft process only last year, and there were murmurs of them trading back into the first round after giving up their selection (20th overall) to the Miami Heat as part of the Jimmy Butler trade.
Less than 18 months after potentially looking to use a future first-round pick to acquire Clayton, Golden State could theoretically get him for free and on a two-way contract now that he's become available on the eve of the season.
It's rare for a player taken in the top 20 to become available like this before the start of his second season, with Clayton having initially signed a four-year, $19.3 million contract with the Utah Jazz -- albeit only the first two seasons were guaranteed.
That means there'll surely be plenty of interest in Clayton from teams around the league, though he may have to settle for a two-way contract just like another former first-round pick, Jordan Hawkins, had to after also being moved on by the Grizzlies at the start of the month.
> The Warriors liked Clayton in last year's draft but that was not an impressive rookie season.
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> Plus they've already got 15 contracts on the books--including Clayton's Florida teammate Will Richard. [https://t.co/AJ7FTueCbu](https://t.co/AJ7FTueCbu)