As we approach the final portions of the offseason, the Golden State Warriors still have two open roster spots to account for.
Mike Dunleavy has said that, even with the apron restrictions, the Warriors anticipate having both roster spots filled by the start of the season. One will likely be taken by a veteran forward like Georges Niang or Kelly Olynyk. But there's a competition slowly shaping up for the 15th spot.
Although the Warriors haven't officially signed Dalen Terry, who was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers after their signing of LeBron James, he was spotted at a WNBA game with Stephen Curry, Will Richard, and Dunleavy. Jake Fischer reported earlier this month that Golden State had interest in signing Terry to a training camp deal, which would give him the opportunity to compete for that roster spot.
But compete is the key term here. Terry hasn't been very productive through his four NBA seasons, and if one of the Warriors' two-way contributors or another training camp signing excels, there's a real chance Terry ultimately doesn't make the roster.
LJ Cryer, who's currently on a two-way deal with Golden State, has what it takes to win that competition.
LJ Cyrer and Dalen Terry could soon be locked into a training camp competition for the Warriors' final roster spot
Of course, there's some projection involved here. Presumably, the Warriors will sign another player to a veteran minimum contract before the start of the season, and either Graham Ike or second-round selection Lajae Jones will claim the final two-way spot.
If things unfold that way, there will be a competition brewing between Terry and the rest of the two-way contributors for a guaranteed contract.
Terry hasn't been productive during his NBA career, but he does still present some upside as a 3-and-D wing— which would help fill a dire bench need for the Warriors with Moses Moody out. Across 48 games last season between the Chicago Bulls and the 76ers, Terry averaged 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while knocking down 36.4% from beyond the arc.
While Cryer saw some run as a two-way contributor with the injury-riddled Warriors last season, his impact was minimal. But between the California Classic and the 2K26 NBA Summer League, we saw a glimpse of the consistent perimeter shooter and hard-nosed defender that Cryer was in college. Across eight appearances, he averaged 14 points, 2.2 rebounds, and four assists while shooting 41.3% from 3-point range.
Cryer's defensive upside will always be limited by his height, and that's where Terry has the advantage. Although Cryer showed tenacity during his summer league appearances, he'll always struggle to keep bigger and faster assignments in front of him as a perimeter defender.
That might be where the edge stops for Terry, though. Cryer is a more confident 3-point shooter and a more capable connective passer, and his fit within the Warriors' off-ball movement system is clear.
If there is a competition between the two players—and you can even toss Malevy Leons, Ike, and Jones into the equation—Cryer certainly has what it takes to win. He might not ultimately earn a guaranteed roster spot in 2026-27, but he's already laid a path toward claiming one this offseason.
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