The Warriors made a curious call last month when they brought in Brandon Williams and Georges Niang within hours of each other, then chose to give the contractual edge to the veteran forward.
That’s the part that stands out. Williams is coming off the better year, and by a pretty wide margin.
In Dallas last season, the 26-year-old posted career-best numbers across the board, averaging 13.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting better than 47% from the field in 66 games, including 15 starts. At his age, the arrow still points up.
Niang’s recent track record tells a much different story. The 33-year-old, now a decade into his NBA career, did not play a game last season after a foot injury and was eventually waived by the Memphis Grizzlies in February. Before that, he had been one of the league’s more dependable bodies over the previous six seasons.
Still, Golden State gave Niang the partially guaranteed deal, worth $1.8 million, while Williams is the one who has to fight for his place. He’ll need a strong camp and preseason to turn his opportunity into a guaranteed spot.
Even if Niang’s contract isn’t fully guaranteed, the Warriors are in a tight enough spot near the second apron that he’s not the easy cut-and-replace option his deal might suggest. That gives him a real hold on a roster spot before the games even start.
The decision gets even more interesting when you look at the roster picture. With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody set to begin the season on the sidelines, Golden State had a clear reason to look at Niang. But Williams may actually address a bigger need.
Niang should open the year as the fourth forward, behind Draymond Green, Gui Santos and Yaxel Lendeborg. He’ll probably have a place in Steve Kerr’s rotation and should still see minutes, but the path for Williams looks more important in terms of immediate role.
Williams appears to be the backup point guard behind 38-year-old Stephen Curry, who is still dealing with a knee injury. That makes the contrast sharper: the Warriors are giving the payroll security to the player who may have less of a role, while the younger guard with the stronger recent season has more to prove.
There’s a good chance both players are on the opening night roster. Even so, it’s a notable gamble from Golden State, especially with Niang being the one who arguably has more to prove after spending last season on the sidelines.
In Other News...
Steve Kerr Just Reopened A Warriors Debate Fans Never Expected
Steve Kerr did not exactly close the door on one of the most surprising what-ifs around the Warriors. Even with years of Finals baggage between the sides, Kerr made clear he would have been open to the idea of LeBron James wearing Golden State colors, a stance that sits a little differently with a fan base that remembers every twist of that rivalry. The concept never moved beyond the realm of possibility, but it was still notable to hear Kerr frame it as something he could support rather than dismiss outright.
The larger reality, though, was always about fit and timing, and the Warriors were never in a position to offer James the clearest road to another title run. He ended up with the Philadelphia 76ers instead, leaving Golden State to keep navigating an older roster and the ongoing strain of key players being out. It is the kind of conversation that reopens old arguments without changing the present, but it does underline how the Warriors keep searching for answers as the roster turns over around Curry and Kerr. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Could Revisit Ben Simmons If One Roster Question Changes
Ben Simmons remains a name to keep in the back pocket for Golden State, even after the initial buzz around him has cooled. The Warriors have already taken a long look at what he offers in theory - size, ball handling and the kind of defensive versatility that can help a roster in different ways - and his current stop in Sacramento keeps the door open for another evaluation if things go well early.
For the Warriors, the appeal is tied to both Simmons ability to rebuild his value and to how their own roster looks down the line. If he can stabilize his standing with the Kings, Golden State could circle back, especially if the teams future makeup changes in a way that clears a more natural role for him. Right now, it is less a done deal than a possibility worth tracking, but it is exactly the sort of possibility the Warriors have shown they are willing to revisit. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Are Watching One Orlando Situation For A Much Bigger Reason
The Warriors are keeping a close eye on Orlandos offseason business because contract negotiations can quickly turn into future trade clues. Anthony Black is in the middle of extension talks with the Magic, and the way that deal is handled could matter well beyond Central Florida for a Golden State front office that is always scanning for the next opportunity to reshape its roster. Orlando also enters the year with a new coach in Sean Sweeney, along with expiring contracts and draft capital that could give the team flexibility if it decides to adjust on the fly.
From the Warriors side, the real intrigue is whether Orlando looks steady enough to keep its current core intact or shaky enough to invite bigger roster questions later. If the Magic stumble early, their direction could become one of the more closely watched situations in the league, especially for a Golden State team that may be looking ahead to next summer as much as the season in front of it. [Read more 🡒]