Golden State Warriors To Sign Mickell Gladness After Missing Out On J.J. Hickson

The Golden State Warriors were expected to sign J.J. Hickson, but he was surprisingly claimed by the Portland Trail Blazers prior to clearing waivers on Wednesday afternoon. The Warriors have went to Plan B with a familiar big to fill their roster spot, though, as they're expected to sign a player who's played with their NBA Development League team.

Mickell Gladness will sign a 10-day contract with the Warriors on Thursday, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. Gladness began the season with the D-League's Dakota Wizards before earning a training camp invite with the Miami Heat following the NBA lockout.

In eight games with the Heat, Gladness scored two points and grabbed 11 rebounds while remaining on the court for a total of 28 minutes. His numbers in the D-League haven't been much more impressive -- 4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 81 career games -- but he's shown he can alter quite a few shots and seems to be developing as his career goes on.

It's an interesting move for the Warriors. Even in the big-lacking Development League, Dakota Wizards center -- and Warriors training camp invite -- Tommy Smith might have been worth a look. Other center options in the D-League included Jeff Foote, Brian Butch, Dan Gadzuric and Mikki Moore (that list may be in order of age). I took a look at some of the top call-up candidates last week.