Chris Taft

[...] So as you can see, the case of Morrow is not the first time Golden State has rued not giving a player a third year on their minimum salary contract. On the plus side, though, they did have the foresight to give three years to Monta Ellis. And Chris Taft. And Richard Hendrix. Although the latter two ended up costing the team over $1.5 million for only 17 games played. But you win some, you lose some.

- Chris Taft

Chris Taft has been out of basketball basically since 2005. Formerly touted as a future number 1 overall pick, Taft eventually slumped all the way down to being only a 42nd pick for the Warriors in the 2005 draft. He played 18 games to begin the season, and averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 8.5 minutes per game, shooting 61% from the field and 17% from the foul line; however, his rookie season was cut short by back spasms. Taft had surgery for a herniated disc in early 2006, and the Warriors waived him in 2006 preseason with a full guaranteed season remaining on his contract. It was discovered that Taft's recurrent back problems were due to polymyositis, a progressive disease which weakens core muscle strength.

After two years on the shelf, Taft returned in January 2008 when he was acquired by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the D-League. Taft played 8 games with the team, totalling 100 minutes, 32 points and 20 rebounds. However, in that eighth game, Taft landed awkwardly on an opponent and dislocated his right foot, so that it pointed at an angle that feet shouldn't point at. Taft then got a bone infection in the wound, and was again looking at a lengthy period on the shelf. He has not played anywhere since.

Taft attended a tryout with the quirky Philippines national team in early 2009, but it fell through when it became apparent that Taft had not suitably recovered from his injuries. He continues to try to rehab with the help of polymyositis specialists, and in the interim has returned to the University of Pittsburgh to complete his degree. He is looking to land a summer league berth as the next stage in his comeback.