The Golden State Warriors didn't change their roster much during the offseason, but the biggest addition they made to the team, outside drafting Yaxel Lendeborg, was adding guard Brandon Williams. He’s already showing that he brings something unique to the team offensively, and may bring something they haven’t had since Jordan Poole.
Starting in training camp, all of the buzz surrounding Williams had to do with his speed. Even head coach Steve Kerr raved that he’s the fastest guy the Warriors have had in a long time.
That speed is important, especially with Golden State’s new “five-out” offensive structure where the team is going to need quicks player who are able to get open and shoot the three from the perimeter, or at least create a diversion for opponents. Williams seems perfectly suited to do just that.
Williams didn’t shoot the three great last season with the Dallas Mavericks, hitting just 23% of his shots from beyond the arc, but the season. He did hit 40% of his shots from three previous year, proving last season might just be an anomaly.
Warriors have desperately needed more bench production for years
Even if he doesn’t score from three too much, he’s still proven that he can score off the bench. He averaged 13 points per game last season which is solid production for a reserve, and is why he could be that player who can provide a spark off the bench consistently in the mould of a player like Poole.
Kerith Burke and Monte Poole talked about this on the latest episode of the Dubs Talk podcast and it’s been a conundrum in recent years for the Warriors to find scorers who can come off the bench whenever Stephen Curry isn't on the floor.
Another guy I always like to think about as a scorer who can come off the bench in addition to Poole is Shaun Livingston. He was never the flashiest player and he rarely ever shot the three, but he was a solid point guard who could come in when Curry needed a breather and get points on the board, shooting over 50% every season he was with Golden State.
Williams doesn’t fit that mould exactly, but if he can have a dash of Poole and a dash of Livingston that would go a long way towards making Golden State’s bench more reliable and more consistent, something the team has needed for years.
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