With Seth Curry set to rejoin the Golden State Warriors on Monday and De’Anthony Melton potentially returning later this week, the Warriors are entering a critical stretch. Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the front office will use the next couple of months to take a long, hard look at the roster ahead of the February trade deadline. But while the big-picture evaluation unfolds, there’s a more immediate move that’s staring them right in the face.
LJ Cryer is making it very hard to ignore him.
The rookie guard, who was a somewhat surprising cut after preseason, is lighting it up with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League. And if Golden State is serious about maximizing every roster spot - especially those valuable two-way deals - then Cryer deserves one. Now.
Cryer’s G League Numbers Are Jumping Off the Page
Santa Cruz hasn’t exactly been racking up wins - they’ve dropped all nine games so far, including a tough 133-103 blowout to the Salt Lake City Stars. But Cryer has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise rocky start. Through those nine games, he’s averaging 24.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, shooting 44.4% from the field and a scorching 41.4% from deep - on over 12 attempts per game.
That’s not just volume shooting - that’s efficiency with confidence.
Even in Saturday’s 30-point loss, Cryer stood out. He dropped 29 points in 35 minutes, going 11-of-19 from the field and 7-of-13 from beyond the arc. That kind of performance - efficient, aggressive, and consistent - is exactly what you want to see from a young guard trying to earn his shot at the next level.
This Isn’t a Fluke - Cryer’s Been a Shooter
Cryer’s outside shooting shouldn’t be catching anyone off guard. He’s been doing this for years.
The 6-foot-1 guard shot 41.3% from three during his five-year college career, including a lights-out 42.4% in his final season at Houston. That Cougars team made a deep run to the NCAA title game, falling to Florida, but Cryer’s ability to stretch the floor and score in bunches was a constant.
And Warriors fans already got a taste of what he can do in the preseason. Cryer led the team in three-point percentage over the final four games, hitting 54.5% from distance. He also posted the highest plus-minus during that stretch and delivered a strong fourth quarter in a win over the Trail Blazers.
The guy can flat-out score. And in a league that values spacing and quick-trigger offense, that’s not something you stash in the G League for long.
The Case for a Two-Way Spot
Right now, Golden State has Pat Spencer, Alex Toohey, and Jackson Rowe on two-way contracts. Spencer has seen some minutes, especially with Stephen Curry sidelined. Toohey’s been dealing with an injury, and Rowe hasn’t stepped on the court for the Warriors yet this season.
That’s where things get interesting.
Rowe’s spot over Cryer was already a hot topic back in October when the roster decisions came down. Fans weren’t shy about voicing their frustration, and Cryer’s recent play is only adding fuel to that fire. The Warriors still have a chance to correct course here - and it’s not about making up for a past decision, it’s about rewarding production and potential.
Cryer’s not just putting up empty numbers. He’s showing the kind of offensive skill set that can translate - especially in a system like Golden State’s that thrives on movement, spacing, and quick decision-making. He’s a natural fit for the way the Warriors want to play.
What’s Next?
With Curry and Melton returning, the Warriors are about to have more clarity in their rotation. But two-way contracts are designed for exactly this type of player - a young, high-upside talent who can contribute when called upon and develop within the system.
LJ Cryer is checking all the boxes right now. The shot is real.
The confidence is there. The production is undeniable.
The Warriors are evaluating their roster ahead of the trade deadline, but they don’t need to wait that long to make this move. Cryer’s earned his shot.