They're the champions 'till they ain't the champions no more, and Brandon Rush is doing his part to keep the band together.
Rush exercised his 2015-16 player option to remain with the Golden State Warriors, according to Rusty Simmons from the San Francisco Chronicle. Rush's option will keep him on the books for $1.27 million, a slight raise from his 2014-15 salary.
The Warriors signed Rush to the two-year deal last summer, with his return to the organization standing as a nice conclusion to a tough chapter in his career. The No. 13 overall pick in 2008 - after recovering from a torn right ACL in 2007 - Rush subsequently tore his left ACL with the Warriors in 2012.
Rush appeared in 33 games for the champions this season, averaging 0.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 8.2 minutes while shooting 20.4 percent from the floor. With his position deep on the bench, Golden State may have welcomed the flexibility of an additional roster spot, but the cost here for continuity, chemistry, and character is more than reasonable.
If his offensive game can come back around, particularly his 3-point stroke, the 29-year-old is the type of active, versatile defender that would fit into Steve Kerr's defensive system well off the bench.
