There's still some intrigue left in this offseason for the Golden State Warriors, even though it feels like most of their business has already been concluded.
They still have two open roster spots even after re-siging Draymond Green and Gary Payton II. On most teams, those spots wouldn't represent anything other than end-of-bench contributors. But with two starters out until at least mid-season in Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, the Warriors need everything they can get out of their final free agent signings.
Perhaps one of those spots is left open for the eventual conversion of a two-way contract. But even so, Golden State has been linked with free agents like Georges Niang, Brandon Williams, and Dalen Terry to fill their 14th spot. Higher upside pieces like DeMar DeRozan and Bradley Beal are likely off the table at this point.
In short, the Warriors' decision comes down to one central factor. Would they rather address the backcourt, where they need extra ball-handling depth behind Stephen Curry, or the frontcourt, where they could seriously use an extra rebounding presence in the absence of Butler?
Before they spring for any of these rumored targets, though, they need to consider what they can get out of two-way contributor Malevy Leons this season. If they want to add a player like Williams, can they depend on Leons to take on real minutes in the frontcourt in place of someone like Niang or Terry?
The Warriors' final offseason signings may hinge on their evaluation of Malevy Leons
Last season, Leons signed on with Golden State on a two-way deal when injuries decimated their rotation. His production, frankly, wasn't all that inspiring. He averaged 3.3 points and shot 44.4% from the field across 25 games.
But he did take on valuable minutes for a team that desperately needed them, even playing through an injury in his shooting hand to provide an additional rebounding and defensive presence in the frontcourt.
If the Warriors are only going to add one more free agent this offseason, he needs to be carefully chosen. There's a real chance that a player like Williams, who has creation and play-making upside off the bench, is their best bet. But the frontcourt desperately needs reinforcements as well.
With Butler and Moody out, Golden State currently has just Draymond Green, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Gui Santos as bona fide forwards on guaranteed contracts. Will Richard can also take on some minutes at small forward, and he's big enough to hold his own defensively at that position.
Leons can, at least theoretically, provide some additional minutes at the three or the four. He looked infinitely more confident during his outings in Summer League, and there's a chance he could provide a real rebounding presence for the Warriors even if he remains on a two-way deal.
If Golden State isn't willing to gamble on that, though, Terry or Niang might be their best options. Terry is nominally a shooting guard, but at 6'6" he has more than enough length to play consistently on the wing and perhaps even be maximized as a rebounder if needed. Niang, for his part, averaged three rebounds in limited minutes during his last NBA season in 2024-25.
None of these are necessarily preferable options. But if the Warriors believe that Leons still has upside to be unlocked, perhaps they're better off targeting the backcourt with their final free agent decisions this offseason.
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