When you dominate in the G League, NBA teams take notice-and LJ Cryer is proof of that.
The former Houston Cougars point guard, a 6-footer with a national title under his belt, has been turning heads with the Santa Cruz Warriors this season. Now, he’s officially earned a shot with the big club. The Golden State Warriors are signing Cryer to a two-way contract, parting ways with Jackson Rowe to make room.
This isn’t Cryer’s first brush with the Warriors. He was brought into training camp back in October, a chance to show what he could bring to Steve Kerr’s rotation.
And while he didn’t land a roster spot at the time, he didn’t exactly fade into the background. Cryer made the most of his preseason minutes, dropping 14 points in a dramatic 21-point comeback win over the Portland Trail Blazers, then following it up with 11 more against the Lakers the very next night.
It was a brief but efficient audition.
Still, Golden State opted to waive him after their preseason finale against the Clippers. But Cryer didn’t sulk-he went to Santa Cruz and got to work.
And that’s where things got interesting.
Through seven games with Golden State’s G League affiliate, Cryer has been nothing short of electric. He’s averaging 24.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game, shooting a strong 44.4% from the field and a scorching 41.4% from deep. Those aren’t just good numbers-they’re the kind of stats that make front offices take a second look.
Now, Cryer gets another crack at the NBA, this time on a two-way deal that allows him to split time between Santa Cruz and the Warriors’ main roster. It’s a move that gives Golden State some additional backcourt depth behind Stephen Curry, and it rewards Cryer’s relentless work ethic and production.
At 24 years old, Cryer is still carving out his path in the league. But if his G League performance is any indication, he’s not just here to fill a roster spot-he’s here to compete. And with the Warriors always looking to maximize the pieces around their superstar core, Cryer could be stepping into a role that matters down the stretch.
For now, it’s another chapter in a story that’s just getting started.