Warriors report card: Mychal Mulder turned into a key part of Golden State’s rotation
Over the next few days, the Bay Area News Group will examine what went right, what went wrong and the biggest offseason questions for each of the Warriors players. Next up is Mychal Mulder, who has proven he’s an NBA player but may not be part of the future in Golden State.
What went right
In 2019, when Mulder walked into the Skyforce facility in Sioux Falls, the team’s head coach Eric Glass gave his players that had made the trip to South Dakota for a chance at the NBA what amounted to an ultimatum.
“If you’re not fully engulfed in this,” he said, “I don’t know what you’re waiting for.”
Sioux Falls, the Heat’s G League affiliate, seems like a world away from Miami. But the frigid mornings, budget hotels and commercial flights didn’t bother Mulder. Before there was a bubble, this was Mulder’s basketball boot camp.
“If that doesn’t motivate you,” Mulder said when he signed with Golden State in 2020, “I don’t know what will.”
Since then, he’s played well enough with the Warriors that he shouldn’t have to worry about returning to the G League. A catch-and-shoot specialist, Mulder spaced the floor and defended multiple positions down the stretch of Golden State’s season. After being in and out of the lineup for the start of the season, Mulder was thrust into the night-to-night rotation when injuries and illnesses depleted the backcourt.
As the team’s eighth man, Mulder helped Golden State win 15 of its final 20 games before the play-in tournament. Standout performances such as a 26-point night in an April 27 loss to the Mavericks, a 25-point game in a May 6 win over the Thunder and 28 points in a May 14 win over the Pelicans proved he’s worth being in an NBA rotation.
What went wrong
While Mulder is a skilled shooter (39.7% on 3.6 3-point attempts per game), he’s a somewhat limited player. Though he’s shown flashes of being a disruptive, rangy defender and is capable of throwing down the occasional dunk, Mulder rarely does more than pass or shoot. His 0.82 dribbles per possession ranked last among Golden State’s non-centers, and nearly all of his makes (116 of 119) were assisted.
On one hand, Mulder played his role and allowed his teammates Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole to do the dribbling. But the next step for Mulder is to use the space he creates for himself by attacking closeouts and using his underrated athleticism to finish at the rim.
Biggest offseason question: Is he part of Golden State’s long-term plans?
Mulder’s $1.8 million contract is non-guaranteed until opening night, as is guard Damion Lee’s $1.9 million deal. Mulder will compete with Lee, and potentially Kent Bazemore (an unrestricted free agent) and 2021 second-round pick Justinian Jessup, a sharpshooter who spent last season in Australia’s National Basketball League.
The Warriors will also have as many as two lottery picks, a $5.9 million mid-level exception and any number of veteran minimum contracts to add to this roster. GM Bob Myers has said he wants to add playmaking and shooting, which could make Mulder less necessary.
Even if Mulder doesn’t make the team next season, he should be able to land a contract elsewhere.