D-League players are coming and going with Warriors

The fragile nature of the Warriors roster has forced them to reach into the NBA Developmental League again. Golden State is expected to announce the signing of guard Coby Karl today, and he should join the team in time for tonight's game at Oklahoma City.

Karl, the son of Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, is the fourth player from the D-League to join the Warriors this season.

"This is a D-League showcase," Warriors assistant coach Keith Smart said with a laugh. "This is where dreams are made."

The Warriors were forced into a decision of either keeping Cartier Martin for the rest of the season (which would have meant cutting a player with a guaranteed contract) or picking up another player. Martin had completed two 10-day contracts, and by league rules could only stay with the Warriors if they signed him for the rest of the season. He averaged 9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 27.6 minutes in 10 games.

This will be Karl's third stint with an NBA team, including a brief stint with Cleveland earlier in the season. He also played with the Lakers in 2007-09.

Karl was averaging 27.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists with the Idaho Stampede.

"One thing you know is he has a high basketball IQ," said Smart, who ran Saturday's practice while Don Nelson was getting treatment for lower back spasms. "He's another guy coming into our organization with a chance to show what he can do. He's going to play. That's not an issue. Coach is very big on giving guys a chance to play right away when they get here."

Fellow D-League call-up Anthony Tolliver is averaging 27.3 minutes and Chris Hunter is playing 10.5 minutes per game.

Tolliver is expected to start his fourth game tonight at Oklahoma City. He is in the middle of his second 10-day contract and is averaging 10 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Tolliver is the only Warriors player that has recorded back-to-back double-doubles this season.

"I couldn't ask for a better situation," Tolliver said. "I'm just coming in here and playing hard and doing what I've done in the past. I guess I'm earning it."

This is Tolliver's third NBA stop but by far the most playing time he has earned. He was with San Antonio for 19 games last season and averaged 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game. He also signed a 10-day contract with Portland last month but only got into two games.

"Anytime you get a chance to get on the court and play some major minutes, you get a chance to show not only this team but other teams what you're capable of doing," Tolliver said. "I think I've done a decent job. I've shown I can be a contributor to a lot of different teams. Hopefully it will be here. If not here, hopefully somewhere else."

Although Nelson missed practice, he was expected to meet the team at the airport in time for their flight to Oklahoma City.

This is the Warriors' second game this season against the Thunder, which is 25-21 and tied for ninth in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City won the first meeting 104-88 on Dec. 7 at the Ford Center.