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Head coach Steve Kerr (L) and governor Joe Lacob of the Golden State Warriors look on during a game between the Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs.
The Golden State Warriors have finally moved forward with one of their lingering offseason questions. After months of uncertainty, second-round pick Will Richard has landed a guaranteed NBA contract.
According to Shams Charania, the 22-year-old guard out of Florida has signed a four-year deal with Golden State, with the first two seasons fully guaranteed. It is a significant investment for the No. 56 overall pick and shows the Warriors believe in his long-term potential.
Golden State’s No. 56 pick Will Richard is signing a four-year contract, with two years fully guaranteed as the Warriors invest long-term in the rookie, his agents Jared Mucha and Marcus Monk of Excel Sports Management tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/iKP7XwHM8W
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1972461338422296616
Warriors Strike Deal With Will Richard
Richard nearly slipped out of the draft, but Golden State picked him up late in the second round. In Las Vegas Summer League, he showed exactly why. He averaged 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.3 steals across four games.
At 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Richard fits the Warriors’ profile as a defensive-minded guard who can also space the floor. He may not play a major role immediately, but his 3-and-D potential makes him an intriguing project who could earn minutes as the season progresses.
Veterans Committing to the Warriors
Much of the summer has revolved around Kuminga’s contract stalemate, but Golden State has been quietly securing other key pieces. Al Horford has agreed to a multi-year deal and is expected to anchor the frontcourt. His championship pedigree, leadership, and ability to stretch the floor give the Warriors a stabilizing force at center.
BREAKING: Free agent Al Horford has committed to a multi-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, agent Jason Glushon tells ESPN. After seven of the past nine years in Boston and winning the 2024 title, Horford will enter his 19th NBA season as the Warriors’ starting center. pic.twitter.com/xQTv2TjKeF
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1941993355866419553
Gary Payton II is also returning. One of the league’s most relentless perimeter defenders, he continues to set the tone with his energy, toughness, and chemistry alongside Golden State’s stars.
De’Anthony Melton, who showed promise during a short stint with the Warriors last season, is back as well. His blend of defense and shot-making provides much-needed depth in the backcourt. Together, these commitments strengthen the roster’s balance of experience and versatility — the ingredients Golden State will lean on as it prepares for another run.
Free agents Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton have committed to signing deals to return to the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. Payton, Melton and Al Horford are now locked in for the Warriors’ 2025-26 roster. pic.twitter.com/h0xtsmstGe
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1972345646549242130?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1972345646549242130%7Ctwgr%5Efc0e9be7987878b6f42334f3508409602f93d502%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fheavy.com%2Fsports%2Fnba%2Fgolden-state-warriors%2Fwill-richard-four-year-deal-warriors%2F
What It Means for Golden State
The Warriors are piecing together a roster that balances promise with experience, knowing every move matters in the twilight of Stephen Curry’s prime. Richard offers the spark of a young guard who could blossom into a reliable contributor. Horford, Payton, and Melton provide the steadying hands of veterans who know how to win.
It isn’t the kind of offseason that grabs headlines, but it may be the kind that preserves Golden State’s relevance. The foundation is being set, brick by brick, for one last push toward a championship in the Curry era.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
