The Golden State Warriors, fresh off a brutal 37-45 season that ended with a Western Conference play-in game loss to the Phoenix Suns, are already looking at some intriguing veteran free agents to fill out their roster for 2026-27. NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer are dropping names, and the potential targets definitely raise some eyebrows.
The Vet With a Huge Question Mark
First up, Georges Niang is getting some serious buzz for one of those open spots. This dude is 33 years old, a 6’6″ power forward who has been around the league for nine seasons, even spending four with the Utah Jazz. But here’s the absolute kicker: Niang suffered a fourth metatarsal stress reaction in his left foot way back in September 2025. He was with the Jazz then, remember, got traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in February 2026, and was waived just two days later. The biggest thing to chew on? He missed the *entire* 2025-26 season because of that injury. An entire season gone!
Before all that bad luck, in the 2024-25 season, he definitely showed out, playing 79 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. He put up 9.9 points per game on 46.1 percent shooting, including a solid 40.6 percent from three-point range, plus 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Those are decent numbers, right? But can he get back to that kind of form after missing a whole year of NBA action? That’s a huge gamble for a team already trying to climb out of a brutal 37-45 hole. It just feels like a major question mark, doesn’t it?
Young Guns Looking for Their Shot
Beyond the Niang situation, the Warriors are also reportedly eyeing a couple of younger talents: Brandon Williams and Dalen Terry. Williams, a 26-year-old, 6’1″ guard, has spent the last three seasons making a name for himself with the Dallas Mavericks. This guy is truly an impressive success story, going undrafted in 2021 but grinding his way to carve out a real place in the league. Last campaign, he definitely produced, playing in 66 games with 15 starts. He averaged a solid 13.0 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 22.2 minutes per game. Those are some serious numbers for an undrafted player, proving he belongs.
Then there’s Dalen Terry, who’s only 24 and heading into his fourth NBA season. He started his career with the Chicago Bulls for over three seasons before a whirlwind saw him getting traded, waived, and eventually signed with the 76ers to finish out last year. Terry’s numbers are a bit more modest, showing that raw talent still needs refining: in 48 contests last season, he averaged 3.7 points on 43.9 percent shooting, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 11.5 minutes per game. He’s clearly a high-upside prospect, and the Warriors must see some serious potential there to even consider him for a final roster spot. What kind of impact could he really have?
This is crunch time for Golden State. After that tough 37-45 season, which saw them miss the playoffs thanks to that play-in game loss, every decision on these final roster spots carries weight. Do they roll the dice on Niang’s health and proven shooting, or do they bank on the upside of Williams and Terry? How these free-agent moves pan out could really shape whether they bounce back or sink further into mediocrity next season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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