Warriors Sign Smith To 3-Year Deal Worth More Than $8 Million

Sure, his contract is small compared with the huge deals signed by No. 1 picks of the recent past. But Joe Smith figures more than $8 million for three years will be plenty to live on comfortably.

Smith, the top pick in last June’s NBA draft, signed with Golden State on Wednesday and immediately joined other Warriors at a mini-camp workout in Moraga, Calif.

Under the new salary scale for NBA rookies, the top draft pick is limited to a three-year deal worth from $7.11 million to $8.53 million. Smith reportedly got the maximum.

Smith, who averaged 20.2 points and 10.7 rebounds a game during his two years at the University of Maryland, said he was glad the contract was signed and that he can focus on basketball when the Warriors open training camp Friday at San Luis Obispo.

“There wasn’t much to discuss because of the signing situation,” the 6-foot-10, 225-pound forward said. “So it was just time for me to sign my name on the bottom line.”

The Sacramento Kings signed top draft choice Corliss Williamson, a 6-7 forward out of Arkansas, to a three-year contract worth approximately $3.2 million.

The Boston Celtics signed their first draft pick, 6-7 Providence forward Eric Williams, to a three-year contract that will pay him close to $3.1 million.

The Celtics also signed free-agent Doug Smith, who was drafted by Dallas in 1991 and has played his entire career with the Mavericks.

The Phoenix Suns, firming up their roster heading into training camp, re-signed free-agent Wayman Tisdale to a two-year contract and first-round draft picks Michael Finley (Wisconsin) and Mario Bennett (Arizona State) to three-year deals. Terms were not disclosed.

First-round draft pick Greg Ostertag (Kansas) and free-agent Antoine Carr signed contracts with the Utah Jazz. Terms were not disclosed.

Jerome Kersey was waived by the Toronto Raptors to save $4.1 million in salary obligations for the upcoming season.