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4 takeaways from the Golden State Warriors’ Summer League campaign

By Peter O'Keefe

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: Lester Quinones #25 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Max Christie #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: Lester Quinones #25 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Max Christie #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors concluded their Summer League campaign on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors, crumbling in the fourth-quarter to surrender a double-digit second-half lead in a 108-101 loss.

The Warriors finished with a disappointing 1-6 record dating back to the start of the California Classic. It reflected a new group who had very little NBA experience and lacked the high-end lottery talent of many rival teams.

There were still plenty of individual positives for the Golden State Warriors during Summer League despite their poor record.

Let’s be honest, no one should be overly concerned by the team performance. The tournament is designed to showcase young players, allowing them to prove themselves and provide some sort of understanding of what we may expect at the NBA level.

With that in mind, there was plenty to be excited about for Golden State from individual perspectives. Let’s have a look at the four biggest takeaways across the last fortnight of basketball action.

1. Gui Santos deserves a two-way contract

Displaying a much-improved offensive game from the same time 12 months ago, Santos may be ready to take hold of a two-way contract on the Golden State roster. Taken with the 55th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Brazilian was always viewed as a draft-and-stash project type player who would take a few years should he ever make an NBA impact.

Gui Santos impressed for the Golden State Warriors during Summer League. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
Gui Santos impressed for the Golden State Warriors during Summer League. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /

Given an accelerated rate of development, Santos could be a worthwhile inclusion on a two-way deal. He missed the Warriors’ final game against the Raptors, yet proved enough to suggest there’s an NBA-level talent in which to work with.

Santos averaged the second-most points for the Warriors in Summer League, scoring 17.3 per game on an efficient 50% from the floor. Standing at a solid 6’7”, the 21-year-old utilizes his size effectively to score in a variety of ways whether on or off the ball.

His perimeter shooting, particularly off the catch, will be crucial to his next development — he shot just 25% from three-point range on six attempts per game. Santos is worthy of a two-way contract, but if not it would still be nice to see him continue to improve with Santa Cruz in the G League next season.

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