SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors have waived big man Marquese Chriss. The move came after Monday's 111-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings and clears a path for the Warriors to convert two-way guard Damion Lee's contract and place him on the 15-man roster for the rest of the season, a league source told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Chriss, who earned a spot on the Warriors' roster after a strong showing in the preseason, provided a lift for the group over the first few months of the season. Chriss, the eighth pick in the 2016 draft, averaged 7.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game and earned respect from teammates and coaches during his time with the organization.
As Chriss, 22, left the Golden 1 Center late Monday, he got hugs, handshakes and well wishes from Warriors personnel. Chriss has remained steadfast since training camp that he belongs in the league and was confident that his play would allow him to make a name for himself after he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns and spent time with the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Warriors, who have been hard-capped since they acquired guard D'Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets for Kevin Durant last summer, were forced to make a decision because they were about to run out of days on Lee's deal. After scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds in Monday's loss, Lee had two days left on his two-way deal.
Lee, 27, is averaging 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this season.