Even after their extension of Draymond Green and their reunion with Gary Payton II, the Golden State Warriors still have two roster spots to fill.
For a team that will be missing a pair of major contributors in Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody until at least mid-season, they need to garner all of the minutes they can get this offseason. Even if some of those players (like Payton) don't come with the highest upside, it makes sense to rely on known quantities.
Now that their backcourt is relatively set with the addition of Payton, look for them to add a frontcourt contributor between now and the end of free agency. Both Kelly Olynyk and Georges Niang have been floated as potential options to fit that role.
But when it comes to the 15th roster spot, there's a lot left to be determined. Perhaps the Warriors will look to leave it open and convert a two-way piece like LJ Cryer or Malevy Leons mid-season. But if they're looking to fill it, and the right move doesn't appear on the market, we could enter training camp with a battle between the existing two-way contributors for that final spot.
LJ Cryer, Graham Ike, Lajae Jones, and Malevy Leons could all have a real shot at the Warriors' 15th roster spot
Normally, the 15th roster spot wouldn't be of great consequence. But for the Warriors, who will certainly need to dig deep into their rotation this season as their veteran stars miss time, that decision will carry some weight.
If we were going purely based on offseason performance, Cryer would likely have this competition wrapped up. He averaged 14 points, 2.2 rebounds, and four assists while shooting 41.3% from beyond the arc between the California Classic and the 2K26 NBA Summer League. He has real upside as NBA-caliber bench guard, and his off-ball shooting fits perfectly in line with what Golden State needs in their backcourt.
Jones' future is still unclear after he was selected 54th overall by the Warriors in the Draft, but he showed upside as an on-ball defender and as a downhill driver in Summer League. He would be a solid addition as a two-way contributor if the roster spots work out in his favor.
But Ike and Leons will likely each have their shot to prove themselves, and Golden State's needs in the frontcourt could give them a slight edge in any looming competition.
Out of the two, Leons likely has the clearer path. The Warriors liked what he provided even as he struggled through injury last season, and they have a clear need for an additional rebounding and scoring forward to slot onto their bench. Ike, though, had an impressive Summer League, and he could provide an additional screen-setting and rebounding presence at the five-spot alongside Charles Bassey.
There's a world where all of these players get a contract in some capacity. If Cryer or Leons is converted to a guaranteed contract, there will be a pair of two-way spots open for both Ike and Jones.
But if the Warriors enter the preseason with their final contract spot open, expect this to be the general landscape of the competition.
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