Dai Kwon Ploden understood my question relatively quickly, and his answer indicated that he had done extensive research on the warriors.
“This is a franchise where I might fit in as a 3-and-D guy, basically with my defense being the foundation and then when those shots find me, it’s my chance to show that I can spread the field a little bit,” Plowden said 10 days ago.
“I can show them that I can shoot the basketball too, so I feel like I fit into that type of style of play.”
That came after Plowden scored 26 points in 24 minutes in Golden State’s 105-66 win over the Miami Heat in a Summer League game on July 6 at Chase Center. His team-high of 41 points is not a typo.
It was Plowden’s first game as a Warriors player, and the promise he showed that night has been maintained in the four games that have followed. No player on the Summer League roster has contributed more to Golden State’s 5-0 record.
The Warriors have seen enough. They rewarded Plowden on Tuesday with a two-way contract that he appears capable of meeting, if not exceeding, his contract.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound wing has the potential to follow in Golden State’s footsteps paved by the likes of Alphonso McKinnie (2018), Juan Toscano Anderson (2021) and Lester Quinones (2023), each of whom joined the franchise on two-way deals before earning record-breaking contracts.
Plowden’s tireless energy is reminiscent of Toscano Anderson, but with more flexibility and a demonstrated ability to score. He also displays the basketball intelligence that the Warriors value. In a league full of athletic wings, Plowden seems like a perfect fit.
Furthermore, on a Golden State team that needs athletic, gritty wingers, the Philadelphia player can expect to get playing opportunities.
Despite playing in five Summer League games, Plowden averaged 16.7 points on 53.7 percent shooting from the field, including 48.1 percent from long range.
But it’s his defense that could put him on the court for the Warriors. He can guard multiple positions, which is needed to create a switchable defense. His desire is clear, as is his pride. He sees his offense as a bonus.
“That’s a positive thing,” he said. “That’s something I’ve built and worked on developing by playing in different systems and what teams want from me. That’s a positive thing.”
“But I think what I really bring to the table are the intangibles, the things that don’t get factored into the stat sheet on the defensive side.”
Persistence has gotten Plowden, 25, to this point in his career. He spent five years at Bowling Green, where he played in a program-record 154 games and was the first player to record at least 1,200 points, 800 rebounds and 100 blocks.
Despite his impressive numbers, Plowden was not selected in the 2022 NBA Draft and that summer he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. He spent the past two years with the Pelicans’ G League affiliate and then the Orlando Magic.
Summer League performance isn’t the real deal. However, it can provide a glimpse into what a player can contribute. Plowden has been a standout player who is worth the small risk that comes with a two-way contract.
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