The Warriors are adding another young big man to the mix, and the move says a little something about where Golden State wants to keep building.
On Sunday night, the team signed Graham Ike to a two-way deal, giving the Summer League standout a chance to develop alongside the organization’s veteran core. The move filled Golden State’s final two-way spot, while second-round Lajae Jones now appears to be “some type of stash prospect” for the Warriors, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
Ike arrives with a strong college résumé, having scored more than 2,000 points at Gonzaga. For a Warriors team that still has Steph Curry, Steve Kerr and Draymond Green in place, the addition fits the larger picture: stay competitive now, but keep feeding the pipeline for what comes next.
That balance matters even more with Curry’s future a talking point earlier this offseason. He’s on an expiring deal, but he shut down the speculation when he said he wants to remain with Golden State for the long haul.
“Not at all. I've always stated that I wanna be a lifer with Golden State… My mission is to stay in Golden State and be competitive, the contract stuff will take care of itself,” Curry said.
The concerns around Curry weren’t just about the contract. They were tied to the roster around him, especially after the Warriors’ latest additions of Georges Niang and Brandon Williams. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported the details of those signings: Niang got a partially guaranteed deal, while Williams’ contract can become fully worthwhile if he makes the opening night roster.
“The Warriors signed Georges Niang to a partially guaranteed deal and Brandon Williams to a non-guaranteed deal, sources say. Niang is partially guaranteed for $1.84M of his $3.88M salary. Williams can earn $1.4M if he makes the opening night roster and up to $2.63M total,” Scotto posted.
Even with the established names still around, Golden State is clearly trying to thread the needle between the present and the future. Ike’s deal may be a small one, but it gives the Warriors another developmental piece as they look ahead to the next era.
In Other News...
Warriors Can Feel Better About Missing Out On Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonards return to Toronto gives the Warriors a little more clarity about one of the most intriguing what-ifs in recent NBA memory. After the Clippers completed their investigation and moved Leonard back to the Raptors, the saga closed with the forward landing where he wanted to be, ending a stretch of speculation that had Golden State in the mix and left plenty of people around the league wondering how close the sides really got.
For the Warriors, the bigger takeaway is less about regret than perspective. Leonards preference for Toronto, rooted in personal and family reasons, helps explain why the finish line always seemed uncertain, even as his market included other possibilities. Golden State never got the chance to add a two-way star of that caliber, but at least now the path he chose is clearer than the rumors that swirled around it. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Have A Familiar Chance To Turn Doubt Into A Real Run
Gary Payton II sees a familiar vibe around the Warriors heading into the next season, one that echoes the 2021-22 title run when Golden State was not exactly the trendy pick. The feeling around this group is different from the years when the burden of expectation sat heavily on every trip up and down the floor, and that alone makes the conversation around them worth watching as camp gets closer.
Steve Kerr has not tried to pin the season to a tidy target, choosing instead to talk about building something durable rather than chasing labels or outside rankings. For a team built around Stephen Curry and a core that knows how quickly perception can change, that approach leaves room for the kind of steady start that can turn doubt into something much more dangerous if the right pieces stay on the court. [Read more 🡒]
Steph Curry Just Kept The Warriors' Biggest Offseason Question Alive
Stephen Curry is in no rush to settle his next deal with the Warriors, and that alone has kept one of the franchises biggest offseason questions hanging in the air. He became eligible for an extension on Aug. 29, but instead of quickly locking in terms, Curry said he wants to wait until he has all the necessary information before making a decision. Golden State, for its part, is not applying pressure and appears willing to let the process unfold on his timeline.
The timing matters because Currys choice could shape the Warriors financial picture far beyond this fall. He can still choose from a few different paths, including signing now or holding off, and the latter route would give the team more flexibility when other contracts come off the books next summer. For a franchise trying to balance present contention with future maneuvering room, Currys patience may prove just as important as any on-court move. [Read more 🡒]