“Didn’t Always Find Myself Happiest Being in the NBA”: Demoted to G-League, Juan Toscano-Anderson Gets Honest About His Warriors and Lakers Tenure

Making it to the NBA is a future every hooper envisions for himself. The opportunity to compete at the highest echelon of the sport, showcasing skills on the grandest stage, is an ambition that drives many. The allure of lucrative salaries and the accompanying fame is a cherry on top. However, all of this comes at a price. A price not everyone is willing to pay. This script is all too familiar to the Sacramento Kings‘ newest addition, Juan Toscano-Anderson.

After having stints with some of the biggest names in the NBA, notably the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Utah Jazz, the 30-year-old found himself out of the league. However, after rediscovering his footing in the league, the Oakland native details his tenure with the Warriors and the Lakers.

Juan Toscano-Anderson reveals his true feelings

Do you remember the price we discussed earlier? For Juan, it was his mental health and happiness that bore the weight of the toll. He started his career with a championship, but the three back-to-back injuries during his Lakers tenure soon dampened his high. It was a lot to go from winning a championship to finding himself out of the league. “Yes I want to get back to the NBA of course, I mean, the money’s amazing, the perks are amazing, but I didn’t always find myself the happiest being in the NBA,” said the Mexican-American forward.

Anderson has tasted both the highs and lows of being a basketball player. After going undrafted to winning a title and then getting demoted to the G-league to once again finding his way back to the NBA, Juan has experienced it all. In his four seasons in the league, he spent three of them with the Warriors, even being a part of their 2022 championship run. He then managed to clinch a spot on the Lakers roster. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for long, as the Lakers traded him to the Jazz as part of the trade that sent Mike Conley to Minnesota and D’Angelo Russell to Los Angeles. His time with the Jazz unfortunately didn’t stick, and he was demoted to the G-league.

However, with his tenacity and resilience, he has earned another opportunity to prove his mettle. After playing for the Capitanes de Ciudad de México in the NBA G League this season, he has now secured his place in the Sacramento Kings rotation.

Juan Toscano-Anderson’s dream to return to the NBA comes to fruition

The Kings have been performing fairly well this season, sitting in 5th place in the East with 15 wins and 9 losses. However, their wing depth has been a cause for concern. To address the issue, they brought veteran forward Juan Toscano-Anderson to North Carolina on December 15. As per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Kings have signed him to a one-year deal.

During his time in the G-league, Juan averaged 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals over 11 games. However, his production during his time in the league did not come close to those numbers. He posted 3.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in his 52 games last season. Therefore, hopefully, his second stint in the NBA will be another chance for him to mark his legacy.

Read More: Warriors’ Juan Toscano-Anderson Explains How Steph Curry and Draymond Green Stand Out as Leaders

What do you think of Anderson’s statements to the NBA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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