Third-year forward Gui Santos has signed a multiyear contract extension with the Warriors, the team announced in a press release (Twitter link).
Santos signed a three-year, $15MM extension which features a player option in 2028/29, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports (via Twitter).
After playing a modest role for most of the season, Santos has been playing major minutes of late with Jimmy Butler sidelined due to a torn ACL. The Brazilian has thrived over his past 12 appearances, averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks in 28.8 minutes per game.
Santos has started 10 of those 12 games, including the team’s last nine, and has posted a shooting line of .588/.431/.692 over that stretch.
Overall, Santos has appeared in 48 games (16.0 MPG) this season for Golden State, averaging 6.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 1.7 APG on .531/.390/.680 shooting.
Santos would have been a restricted free agent in the offseason. Instead of waiting until the summer to negotiate a new deal, the 23-year-old opted to sign a long-term extension to stay with the franchise that selected him 55th overall in the 2022 draft.
Although Santos doesn’t have a ton of NBA experience, $5MM annually is still a team-friendly rate considering his recent contributions and his projected role for the rest of the season. When I took an in-depth look at Santos a few days ago in a Front Office article, I speculated that he might be able to get $6-9MM per year in restricted free agency.
Still, having that player option for ’28/29 was a nice compromise for Santos. He will be extension-eligible again two years from now (Feb. 28, 2028) and would be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2028 if he declines his third-year option.
Santos was one of several players around the league eligible for veteran contract extensions. The full list can be found right here.
Well deserved!
Keegan Murray: 1.5 VORP in 256 games
Gui Santos: 0.7 VORP in 127 games (x256 = 1.4 VORP)
Pretty much the same guy? Maybe? Number 4 pick vs number 55 pick! Murray has a higher ceiling obviously, but what a find by the GSW FO…
> Murray has a higher ceiling obviously
Interesting to think about…I’m not so sure…
At 25 years old, Murray ha benefitted from starters’ minutes for 4 seasons. Defenders figured out early in Murray’s career that he can’t put the ball on the floor, so they have taken away his one offensive strength, his shot. He’s actually contributed less each year since his rookie year. I wouldn’t expect much improvement in the future. It was a HUGE overpay to give Murray 4 years at $28/yr, but that’s the only way Sac can hold on to young players.
At 23 years old, Santos has his future in front of him. He’s showed improvement each year, and this year, with a chance to play real minutes, the improvement has been huge. That improvement should continue. Santos will never be the on-ball defender Murray is, but he’s become a better all-around defender.
Neither player will ever be a star. I’d put the odds at Santos being better than Murray in 2 years at 50-50.
I think you’re right – I hope you’re right – go Gui!
Gui has suffered from Kerr’s weird reluctance to play players taller than 6’5″.
The only reason he’s gotten any minutes is Butler’s being lost for the season. 11.3 min/gm before Butler went down, 26.6 after. And like most players, all his stats have improved significantly with more consistent minutes.
@NBAisOK, Agreed on all counts.
It’s a rare chance to reply to you today – I wonder if it will last.
For me it’s a bit hard to pay attention to the NBA with trump starting a war with Iran, but I’m trying to stay distracted so I’ll watch the Warriors tonight.
Sadly, I’m expecting that attack to hit me in the pocketbook Monday.
I do my best to avoid politics on this board because I have friends with different loyalties. But the foolishness of starting a war with Iraq seems to be something everybody agrees on.
I have to put Keegan a bit ahead, but its just because he has so much more playing time. Murray has a 47 point game and 16 games of 25+ points. Gui has never scored more than 19. With “best game score” its Murray over Gui, 42.7 to 19.1. So Gui is way more raw and therefore has the lower ceiling, but I don’t disagree Gui might have a better career starting from like, today.
Will be interesting to see how it pans out, being Murray is also the type of guy who thrives in GSW’s system and a guy they have sought in trades before. Really interesting comp being they were both in the same draft though!
He been getting better every year. Good way to sign a player for the future that deserve a contract. Warriors did niot want another team come in and swoop him away with a bigger contract.
It’s definitely a win win especially when you extend your own draft pick. It’s a great “feel good” story and one Warriors needed desperately after major chaos with Kuminga and other picks. Santos is the beneficiary of Kuminga contract chaos. Now, it’s Post turn. Then the biggest dilemma with Podz.
$5 million per year. It seems like GS got him cheap. I guess in his situation $15 million guaranteed is life changing money but I bet he would have done better for himself if he waited until the summer.
Not necessarily, last year’s market showed the difficulty of negotiating as a restricted free agent. Better to get the money now and in two years you’re unrestricted and only 25 yrs old
For high priced RFAs that was true last year, because you need to have cap space to make an offer above the MLE. Santos is not at that level though. Many teams this summer would have been able to make him an offer.
Rfa”s been getting the donkey kick lately
Like Mr Maher says I think the 3rd year player option makes it amicable for both parties here
( *well written write up )
the player option might be a early renegotiation option for Santos. So if he does going to a starting spot next year he can get a better extension.
This one feels like a Win/Win for the Warriors and Santos. Santos seems to be comfortable with the Warriors. Looking forward, Warriors are thin at the forward positions with Green and Butler aging. So, Santos should have plenty of opportunities to play and keep improving.
But, but…Kerr destroys every young player…Is he going to be drunk against the Lakers tonight. Or, is going to take out his partying on LA.
Everybody knows Kerr has been an expert at developing 2nd rounders and journeymen. It’s a huge difference with high picks. And it’s not like Santos signed $50m contract.
I had read people speculate that he could fetch between $6-$9 million. Nice signing.
I predicted $12-13m. I missed it by 2m. It gives him security and he knows well that his BIG contract will be the next one when he’s 25. So proud of Santos!!!!! Warriors are well represented in Brazil.
I wonder how this effects their ’26 draft strategy. They took Toohey (forward) and Richard (guard). Richard has worked out quite nice. Toohey had a knee injury and didn’t seem ready. Leons basically replaced him and had nice debut. Could they go guard in the 1st and maybe a project guy in the 2nd?
Considering Horford’s part time status and Porzongis’ 1 game so far, I’d hope they’d draft a big man.
Any center that they are able to draft is at 2-3 years away.
I almost forgot. The Warriors have Charles Bassey at Santa Cruz. He did a 10 day deal with the Sixers, and is back. He looks like a possibility for next season.
Santos is becoming a decent player. You have to give him credit. He’s made himself into an NBA player. Still has upside. Nice find for Warriors. He’s just a guy with size who does the basics. Shows what hard work and perseverance can do. He is no Murray. Murray has already proven he is a starter in NBA. With potential to be a 20 pt scorer. They are nothing alike …..
The Gui era has begun
Santos — 24 mins, 10 pts, 4 reb, leading scorer.
Obviously the Warriors can’t compete without Jimmy and Steph. Warriors offense is built on shooting and getting more shots than itger team ..
Lakers — 40 reb, 39/70 FG, 16/31 3pt
Warriors — 28 reb, 28/68 FG, 9/36 3pt
After 3Q ——- super small ball.
Small gets you this. When you don’t hit your shots. So a team plays D. Then your done . Lakers are one of worst D teams in the L. Yet. Up by 30.
Luka us too big. Bron is too big. And there is absolutely no rim protection by Warriors. Even if you have Curry and Jimmy. You can’t beat the good teams. Of you can’t go big. Which Jerr doesn’t do. Nuggets, Thunder, Spurs, T-Wolves, Rockets all can play big or small. And have real bigs you have to defend …..
This is why passing on Raynaud was a big mistake. With Curry and Jimmy. Raynaud gives you that missing piece. This is just common sense ball.
Raynaud takes the Warriors back to the days Biendris. No defense. To many loses. Why would the Warriors want to do that.
You understand every time you post. You show how brilliant you are. Tell us more. Raynaud is showing he is a starting center. Ho count the ping pong balls. We’ll call you when its over ……
Oh oh wait ……. It is OVER. Next Finals Warriors will be in is G-Finals to WATCH 👀😳😱😱. Go cry on MLBRumors ……
I still don’t understand why you are obsessing over this? What is the point? It doesn’t change anything. I doubt Dunleavy cares what you think. Raynaud hasn’t made Sac better. They’ll easily lose 20 more games then they did last season. So, why not just move on?
Only you obsess. I am here to remind of the big mistake. I do the same to Bulls and Raptors over Queen. They all understand and we move on. Its only basketball… except to you. If you knew ball or really cared about the Warriors. You could discuss Raynaud as a miss. And see how you get around it. KP was a start. Unfortunately it turns out bad cause of illness. Nothing wrong with disagreeing with your team. Takes an adult to do it. Means you’re out.
Raynaud averages a paltry 0.5 blocks/gm. (So does Mailik Monk).
He’s no rim protector.
We don’t know what he is yet. Only he was a steal in 2nd rd. He’s a rookie. Has started 35 gms. And avgs 24 mins. To judge him now. Is what tge cliwns here did to Kuminga. Plus these are Kings. One of wirst Franchises in history. Act like you try to understand ball. And give him 3-4 yrs.
Just FYI, Post avgs the same 0.5 bpg in only 17.1 min/gm.
Per 36, he’s at 1.1 blocks to Raynaud’s 0.7 (and he also outscores him 16 pts to 15.5 and only 2 reb less (half due to being on the perimeter way more).
Post will never play 30 mins. So your fantasy will never work. If you can’t see the difference in talent. Then don’t waste my time. Go make up stats with Giants74. Raynaud is a starting center right now. A rookie rrafted in 2nd rd …. Brilliant
Post would play 30+ minutes on the Kings, and Raynaud would avg 17 minutes playing for Kerr.
Post doesn’t have half the talent Raynaud has . Warriors suck and have no bigs. And he still can’t get mins. You couldn’t give away Post lmao ….
Warriors have no young talent. Bunch of cast offs. I an going to love this board next 10yrs you SUCK.
Go count the ping pong balls WAGONEERS
Wrong on all counts.
Which team sucks more, the 14-49 Kings or the 31-30 Warriors (who are 18 games better)?
Post not getting minutes is 100% on Kerr, as the Clippers loss proves perfectly. Old, washed Dray played 31 minutes and put up a team-low -18, while Post played just 12 minutes and was a team-high +5.
Warriors are tanking. No team can lose their 2 best players and expect to get through the playoffs. like I been saying Curry’s knee is worse than they are telling people. You saw it last night the warriors do not have the offense to be a playoff team. So why not move up a few spots in the draft.