Despite a career-best season where he appeared in 66 games for the Golden State Warriors, Pat Spencer has been relegated back to a two-way contract after signing with the Phoenix Suns early in free agency.
It's a slightly puzzling move based on the Suns' current guard rotation where Spencer will likely be buried, with that coming in stark contrast to the role he was given last season with the Warriors where he was only the pure point guard on the roster behind franchise superstar Stephen Curry.
Pat Spencer is buried in Suns guard rotation after Warriors exit
A combination of Curry's injuries and Spencer's own good play saw him make 14 starts and average nearly 19 minutes with Golden State last season, but it's hard to see him reaching that mark again in what will be the final year of his two-way eligibility.
Spencer will be behind the notable backcourt pairing of Devin Booker and Jalen Green, while the Suns quickly moved before free agency to re-sign guard duo Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin to four-year, $48 million and three-year, $19 million contracts respectively. Phoenix also have 27-year-old point guard Jamaree Bouyea who averaged a career-high 5.7 points in 46 games with the franchise last season.
Where does that leave Spencer and his ability to generate minutes in what's bound to be a make-or-break year for the former Lacrosse star? It's hard to see him being part of Jordan Ott's rotation, particularly if all or most of the aforementioned guard options are available.
But on the other hand, why would the Suns target and sign Spencer to a two-way contract without the thought of playing him? He's now 30-years-old, meaning this isn't a young, high upside project player who you can afford to have in the G League for a season or two.
Warriors still haven't signed Pat Spencer replacement
As much as Golden State were evidently happy to move on from Spencer this offseason, they still need to land a replacement to ensure they have some insurance for when Curry is on the sidelines resting or injured.
The Warriors do have LJ Cryer as a promising young player on a two-way contract, but will likely need to add a more proven option to the main roster. Golden State have been strongly linked to former Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams, with a chance the 26-year-old ends up taking one of the final two roster spots.
Spencer averaged 7.2 points and 3.5 assists with the Warriors last season, and now there'll be a watch from afar on his role in Phoenix and whether he can earn another standard contract going forward.
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