There have been been plenty of moves and decisions by the Golden State Warriors that are worthy of criticism in the last couple of years. They’ve not exactly handled their top-tier picks very well, and when it comes to trades and free agency, they’ve had terrible luck finding players who can stay healthy. But one thing the Warriors have done well is find and develop young end-of-the-roster players who prove to go on to useful NBA careers.
That goes back to Kent Bazemore more than a decade ago. But there have been plenty of other notable longshots whom the Warriors have brought along, too: Quinn Cook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Ryan Rollins, Gui Santos, Pat Spencer and one of the big winners of the offseason, Quinten Post and the $30 million he got from the Grizzlies in restricted free agency.
So, for a little-known player like Deivon Smith, the Warriors are not a bad place to be.
Deivon Smith Was a Hero for the Warriors
After playing the hero for the Warriors in the Las Vegas Summer League championship game, Smith will be going back to the Dubs this fall, according to the NBA Consensus account.
They write: “The Golden State Warriors are signing Summer League standout Deivon Smith to a deal, according to agent Billy Davis. Smith played a key role in helping Golden State capture the Summer League championship and impressed team officials throughout the run.”
Smith recorded 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting with nine rebounds when the Warriors beat the Grizzlies for the summer championship.
Deivon Smith Averaged 17.2 Points in G League
Smith, 24, was briefly with the Hawks last training camp, and played for the Warriors’ Santa Cruz G-League affiliate last season. He averaged 17.2 points with 6.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists in nine games there.
During his stint in college, he gave the transfer portal a considerable workout. He started his career at Mississippi State in 2018, but moved on to Georgia Tech for two seasons, then to Utah and finally to St. John’s in his final year. He averaged 8.3 points on 40.3% shooting and 33.0% 3-point shooting.
Warriors Need Young Depth
Indeed, looking at where the Warriors are entering the season, the plan–and hope–is that Golden State can rely on some development of its young players early in the season to help the roster withstand injuries to the knees of Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody. The Warriors have been one of the most injury-prone teams in the NBA in the last two years, with any hope of a playoff run ruined by Butler (and Stephen Curry’s) injuries in 2026 and with their 2025 run halted by Curry’s balky hamstring.
The Warriors are rumored to be giving guard Dalen Terry a non-guaranteed deal for training camp. Smith is likely getting an Exhibit 10 deal for camp, and should have a chance to earn a two-way spot when roster decisions come down.
The Warriors have LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons on two-way deals now, with second-round pick Lajae Jones and center Graham Ike also likely in the mix. Teams get three two-way slots, and there are no guarantees on those contracts–teams are able to change them up at any time. That would be Smith’s best bet.
Warriors Sign Summer League Standout as Roster Competition Heats Up