The Golden State Warriors are heading into the season with one obvious pressure point: Steph Curry. Steve Kerr tried to calm the nerves after Curry left a practice early with an ankle problem, but the scare only sharpened the conversation about who else can carry the load.
Tim Legler thinks one answer could be Gui Santos.
Speaking on the All NBA podcast, Legler singled out Santos as his player to watch in 2026-27 and made the case that the wing is ready for a noticeable jump.
“Gui Santos. I liked him last year, but I think this year is going to be a whole other level. I just think the opportunity is going to be there for him.”
Legler went further, projecting an early surge once the season gets rolling.
“I think right in the beginning of the season, the first five games of the year, I think this guy is going to have a couple of 20 point games out of the gate and it’s going to set the tone for his entire season. I just like his versatility, his demeanor. He competes.
“He’s very, very professional, really hard worker. He seems to take a genuine joy in playing basketball, which sounds crazy. You would think everybody has that, but some guys it stands out a little bit more and he’s one of those guys for me.”
Santos is entering his fourth NBA season, and his role has grown steadily. He played 68 games last season after appearing in 56 the year before and 23 as a rookie. That expanded workload came with more production, too: 20.5 minutes per game and 9.2 points per game last season.
He also showed he can catch fire when the chances come. Santos scored a career-high 31 points in March against the Nets, then followed it with 27 against the Wizards two days later. He added 25 against the Cavaliers and 22 against the Thunder.
The Warriors may need that kind of punch sooner rather than later, with Moses Moody, Kristaps Porzingis and Jimmy Butler all beginning on the sidelines.
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