Lakers Get A Different Warriors Test Than Anyone Expected Opening Night

Despite missing out on big names, the Warriors are banking on smart veteran signings to bolster their season opener roster against the Lakers.

The Warriors’ offseason didn’t deliver the splash some fans were chasing, but Steve Kerr is making one thing clear: the veterans they did bring in are ready to matter right away.

On Thursday, Kerr said Brandon Williams, Georges Niang and Charles Bassey will all be on the roster and in the rotation for the opening night matchup against the Lakers. That gives Golden State a veteran trio with a combined price tag of roughly $9 million a real chance to shape the first stretch of the season.

Williams arrived first among the outside additions, and ESPN’s Anthony Slater described the move as one aimed at bringing “needed perimeter bench scoring and speed for a reserve unit that often lacked it last season.” Slater also reported that Williams signed a one-year, $2.6 million minimum contract, making him the Warriors’ first outside pickup in what had been a fairly quiet offseason.

Niang came next, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting that the forward agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal. Charania noted that Niang is a career 40% 3-point shooter and is entering his 11th NBA season after missing 2025-26 due to injury.

Bassey was already in the mix from last April, and now all three veterans are set for opening night. The timing matters for Golden State, which is dealing with two significant injuries and will need its second unit to produce when Steph Curry is off the floor.

That’s where this group comes in. Williams gives them speed and scoring punch.

Niang brings a shooting profile the Warriors can lean on. Bassey adds another experienced body to a rotation that Kerr appears ready to trust immediately.

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