After almost two months of waiting, the Golden State Warriors finally made their first new free agent splash! They just locked down former Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams on a one-year, $2.6 million deal. Talk about a sigh of relief in the Bay, right? Before this, the only new faces were draft picks Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 11 and Lajae Jones at No. 54. This signing feels different, like a real move the team needed to make.
The Return of a High School Teammate and What He Brings
This isn’t just a random signing, either. This move brings Brandon Williams back together with his former high school teammate, De’Anthony Melton. You know what that means: instant chemistry, a familiar face in the locker room, and someone already in sync on the court. That kind of existing connection can’t be overstated, especially when you’re trying to integrate a new player quickly. Williams really impressed last season during his fourth year in the league, hitting a career-high 13 points per game for Dallas. He wasn’t just scoring, though. He was putting up an all-around game with 3.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.9 steals. Those are solid numbers for a guard, showing he can contribute in multiple ways. For what the Warriors had available to spend, Williams could easily be the best free agent they could have grabbed. Seriously, this feels like a much better pickup than those two other veterans the team was supposedly checking out.
The Shot, The Speed, and The Season Ahead
Now, let’s talk about the game itself. If you watched Williams play during the 2025-26 season, it was clear as day: his speed, his explosiveness, and his ability to finish strong around the rim are absolutely elite. The dude is a blur getting to the basket, and he knows how to convert once he’s there. That kind of dynamic playmaking is exactly what this team needs. But, and yeah, there’s always a “but,” Williams does have one big area he needs to clean up: his 3-point shot. Last season, he shot only 23.2% from beyond the arc. Ouch. That number *has* to improve big time for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Getting that percentage up isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s the whole ballgame.
That 3-point improvement is gonna be the difference maker. If he can turn that corner, this isn’t just a “solid addition” like some guys. This becomes an “incredible bargain pickup,” hands down. The Warriors got an ‘A’ grade for this signing, and honestly, with that kind of potential and the low price tag, it’s hard to argue. Keep an eye on Williams; his development will be huge for what this team can do 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 Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply