Warriors waive Seth Curry to clear cap space ahead of opener

The Golden State Warriors waived guard Seth Curry on Saturday, the team said, a move the franchise described as a short-term roster and salary-cap maneuver ahead of the regular-season opener. Curry, who signed a nonguaranteed training-camp deal earlier this month, is expected to be re-signed once the team gains sufficient financial flexibility under league salary rules.

Curry joined the Warriors on October 1 on an Exhibit 9 type contract intended for training camp. He did not appear in any preseason games before being released, and the team also waived rookie guard LJ Cryer as it trimmed the roster ahead of the season. Team officials and league finance experts say the decision was driven by the Warriors exceeding the NBA's first salary-cap apron and sitting just under the second apron, a threshold that triggers stricter limits on adding players and draft assets.

Under the league's structure, teams above the first apron and using certain exceptions are effectively hard-capped at the second apron. Keeping Curry on the roster at the veteran minimum immediately would have pushed Golden State above that second apron and subjected the franchise to additional restrictions. By waiving...