The Golden State Warriors have agreed to trade guard Cory Joseph to the Indiana Pacers, league sources tell ESPN. Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Pacers intend to waive Joseph following the trade.
The deal has the Pacers sending Cory Joseph to the Warriors in exchange for a second-round pick and cash considerations.
For the Indiana Pacers, the deal brings Cory Joseph’s depth into their backcourt. However, it seems Joseph will not be a part of the Pacers’ plans going forward as they waived him. The move is a part of a series of moves that the Pacers made before the trade deadline as they acquire Doug McDermott from the San Antonio Spurs and trade Buddy Hield to the Philadelphia 76ers.
He is 13-year league experience as an NBA player. He, therefore, boasts loads of playoff experience and veteran value to his team. However, his output this season for Golden State has been moderately restrictive. He had, for example scored just 2.4 points and 1.6 assists per game so far for the 26 games that he has featured. Altogether, he scores an average of 6.9 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds for his entire career.
Curiously, this trade would have been Joseph’s second stint with the Indiana Pacers, having played for the team from 2017 to 2019.
Overall, although this trade might not necessarily influence the Pacers on the field, it suggests that the Pacers are willing to do anything necessary to have a well-rounded roster in their team. Now that Joseph will probably be waived by the Pacers, it is left unknown whether Joseph will return to the NBA, and both teams will be able to have a wonderful story of their lives ahead of this trade.
Cory Joseph: A Journey Through the NBA as a Canadian Point Guard
Cory Joseph has played in the NBA for a decade. The Canadian point guard is one of the popular faces known for high-flying dunks and fast dribbling in the league. With a reputation as a good role player, Joseph was more of a defensive machine with an ability to hustle on the court. Let’s find out how this man journeyed from his Canadian roots all the way to the tough world of the NBA.
Early Life and Basketball Beginnings:
Born in the year 1991, in Toronto, Joseph clearly showed his interest in playing basketball. He played under coaching staff at Pickering High School and Findlay Prep, where he revealed his brilliant potential and received good rankings as one of the finest recruits in the circuit. In 2010, he committed to the University of Texas at Austin to play at the college level.
During his three years in Texas, Joseph became an indispensable player. He had an average of more than 9 points and 3 assists per game, and his junior year ended with an All-Big 12 Second Team citation. The scouts particularly noted that he can control the pace of the game and dictate the tempo of play by controlling the offense. They also considered him effective on defense by holding off opposing players.
2011 NBA Draft and Early Years in the NBA:
Joseph was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2011 NBA Draft as the 29th overall pick. The Spurs system of disciplined play and teamwork had all the right ingredients for the versatile player that Joseph had in him. Under the wise mentorship of coach Gregg Popovich, Joseph became more familiar with the intricate elements of the NBA, as he learned from many experienced players such as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
He only had a few minutes of play time in his first year in the league, most of which was behind already established stars. Joseph proved to be a great defender, though. He won the trust of Popovich due to his hustle and following instructions from the coaching staff.
Earn Playing Time and Championship Run:
An injury to Tony Parker in the 2013-14 season gave Joseph ample playing time. He stepped up and produced career-best scoring and assisting numbers while remaining vicious on defense. The year ended on a dream with Joseph being the first-ever Canadian to play for an NBA championship-winning team as Spurs defeated Miami Heat in the 2014 NBA finals.
Career Advancement and onward journey:
Joseph played his career with Spurs for three seasons. Then he wanted bigger share on the team he decided to go to Toronto Raptors in 2015 joined town team. He spends there for two more seasons after gaining more than 9 points per game till then joined the Indiana Pacers, 2017.
He went on to play with the Sacramento Kings, the Detroit Pistons, and finally, with the Golden State Warriors. Without another championship season, he proved himself a great role player, providing defense and veteran leadership for each team that he played for.
Team Canada and International Success:
Apart from his performance in the NBA, Joseph has always been a consistent member of the Canadian national team. He has represented Canada in several international games, such as the FIBA World Championships and the FIBA AmeriCup. In the latter, Joseph played for Canada, which ultimately won the bronze medal in 2015.
Legacy and Future
It speaks to hard work, dedication, and a strong work ethic-the making of a talented Canadian athlete who carved his own niche in the league without ever being a superstar player. He was always that person that coaches and teammates respected to contribute to winning teams.
To this day in February 2024, Joseph remains part of the Golden State Warriors. Inside playing fields and out of the fields of play, the impact sure to linger with basketball, specifically that which the highest stage is associated with Canada.
Sam, a dedicated blogger, has immersed himself in the world of content creation for the past five years. His journey reflects a profound passion for storytelling and insightful commentary. Beyond the digital realm, Sam is a devoted NBA enthusiast, seamlessly blending his love for sports with his writing pursuits.