Warriors Finally Make Their Move: Golden State Sign Mavericks Breakout Brandon Williams for $2.6m

The Golden State Warriors have ended their quiet off-season by signing Dallas Mavericksbreakout guard Brandon Williams to a one-year, $2.6million veteran minimum deal, filling their 14th standard roster spot while staying just under the NBA's second-apron tax threshold.

Williams' agents, Derek Lafayette and Curtis Lawrence, confirmed the agreement. The contract gives Golden State low-cost backcourt help behind Stephen Curry as they continue to juggle a tight salary-cap situation.

The 26-year-old arrives after a career-best season in Dallas, where he averaged 13.0 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 22.2 minutes over 66 regular-season games. His scoring and ability to attack off the dribble give the Warriors a different option behind Curry as they attempt to strengthen a backcourt that lacked consistent creation last season.

The move caps a relatively quiet start to Golden State's summer. The Warriors had spent much of the off-season retaining players and managing a difficult salary-cap position, making Williams their first external addition.

From G League to Golden State

Williams went undrafted out of Arizona in 2021 and began his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers. He spent the 2022-23 season in the G League before joining the Mavericks on a two-way contract in December 2023.

His opportunity in Dallas grew after injuries and rotation changes thinned the team's backcourt. Last season, Williams established himself as a useful reserve and produced career highs in scoring and playmaking.

He shot 47.2 per cent from the field while averaging 13 points and 3.9 assists. Williams has appeared in 140 NBA games across four seasons, averaging 10.7 points and 3.2 assists in just under 19 minutes per game.

He has also made 34 starts. At 6ft 1in, he is undersized, but his quickness and willingness to drive to the basket provide something Golden State can use.

The Warriors have several guards capable of shooting and defending, but Williams offers another ball-handler who can create his own offence when Curry is off the court. His three-point shooting remains a weakness.

Williams made only 23.2 per cent of his attempts from beyond the arc last season, so Golden State will rely more on his penetration and playmaking than his perimeter shooting. The Warriors are taking a calculated risk on a player whose strengths fit a specific need.

Why $2.6m Below the Second Apron Matters

The financial side of the deal is equally important for Golden State. The Warriors were already operating deep into luxury-tax territory, with about $249.4million committed before adding Williams.

The signing takes their allocation to roughly $252million and leaves them approximately $2.6million below the NBA's second-apron threshold, according to Spotrac figures reported by multiple outlets. That gives general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr limited room to manoeuvre.

Williams is now the 14th player on a standard contract, leaving one place still open on the 15-man roster. Dunleavy has indicated Golden State intend to fill that final spot rather than leave it vacant for financial reasons.

The need for additional depth has also been heightened by injuries. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are expected to miss the opening months of the season while recovering from knee injuries, leaving the Warriors with fewer options on the perimeter.

Williams is not expected to arrive as a major star or a player likely to transform Golden State's fortunes. Instead, the Warriors are taking a low-cost gamble on a guard who showed last season that he can handle meaningful NBA minutes.

The move does not solve every problem facing Golden State, but it addresses a clear need. Williams gives the Warriors another ball-handler, provides potential bench scoring and adds speed to their reserve unit.

After a summer in which the Warriors' lack of movement had become a talking point, Golden State have now added to their backcourt. Whether the modest signing becomes a meaningful boost to their playoff hopes will depend on how Williams translates his Dallas breakthrough to the Warriors.