Warriors Reportedly Sign Ex-Rockets Wing to Two-Way Contract

The Golden State Warriors are short on wings, so they reportedly used their last two-way roster spot on one.

According to The Stein Line's Jake Fischer, they are signing 6'5" shooting guard/small forward Nate Williams with the two-way roster spot vacated when Pat Spencer signed a standard contract.

After this move, the Warriors still have an open standard contract roster spot.

Williams appeared in 42 games with the Rockets over the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, averaging 3.0 points and 0.9 rebounds.

In 35 G League games this season, Williams is averaging 18.4 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 36.5 percent from three.

With Jimmy Butler out for the season with a torn ACL, it's possible Williams will see playing time with Golden State. With that said, Steve Kerr hasn't been shy about using at least three players under 6'5" on the court at once, so it wouldn't be a surprise if Williams never appears for the Warriors except in garbage time.

Before the Williams signing, the Warriors had just two healthy players 6'5" or taller who could be accurately described as wings. Moses Moody (6'5") is a traditional three-and-D wing, while Gui Santos (6'7") is more of a power wing.

Does Williams Signing Affect Warriors' Buyout Market Plans?

I've been speculating that the Warriors will target a wing on the buyout/free-agent market, and I don't think Williams' signing changes that.

The issue is the buyout/FA market is devoid of quality wings.

The Suns agreed to terms with Haywood Highsmith on Sunday, taking the only quality wing off the board.

As a team over the first apron, the Warriors can't sign anyone who is making over $14.1 million this season. So even if Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, Khris Middleton or Bogdan Bodganovic gets bought out, the Dubs can't sign them.

Their most realistic hope is Nicolas Batum gets bought out by the Clippers. The Warriors could probably offer Batum more playing time than any of the other 15 teams with winning records.

If Batum stays with the Clippers or spurns Golden State for a team with better title odds, the Warriors could focus their efforts on depth bigs. But after the Kristaps Porzingis trade, wing depth is much more of a need than center depth.