The Golden State Warriors have filled one of their two open roster spots by signing guard Pat Spencer to a standard NBA contract, the team announced on February 6, 2026.
Spencer, 27, joins Golden State after spending time in the G League and briefly appearing in limited NBA action earlier in his career. The move leaves the Warriors with one remaining open roster spot heading into the buyout/free-agent window, and according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, they are taking a serious look at one of the most intriguing available names: Lonzo Ball.
Lonzo Ball Situation
- Ball was recently traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Utah Jazz but was waived shortly after, making him an unrestricted free agent.
- In 35 games this season (mostly with Cleveland):
- 4.6 PPG
- 4.0 RPG
- 3.9 APG
- 20.8 MPG
- Shooting splits have been poor: 30.1% FG overall, 27.2% from three (on 4.2 attempts per game), and 44.8% on twos.
Why the Warriors Are Interested
Fischer notes that Golden State values Ball’s connective skills and defensive traits, which align with head coach Steve Kerr’s system:
- Playmaking & connectivity — Ball remains an elite passer and floor general when healthy (career assist numbers and vision stand out).
- Defensive disruption — Generates 2.2 steals per 75 possessions, fitting the Warriors’ identity as a top-5 team in forcing turnovers (non-garbage time, per Cleaning the Glass).
- Rebounding & assist rates — Solid marks for a guard (6.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists per 75 possessions).
At 28 years old, Ball is still young enough to be a low-risk flier on a minimum or near-minimum deal.
The Major Concerns
The biggest red flags are obvious:
- Shooting collapse — Ball’s three-point stroke has never fully recovered after multiple knee surgeries and two seasons of near-total inactivity. His current 27.2% from three would hurt Golden State’s spacing — already a concern without elite shooters in the rotation.
- Durability & availability — Ball has played sparingly since 2021-22 due to chronic knee issues. Signing him carries almost no financial risk but significant availability risk.
Bottom Line for the Warriors
The Warriors (28-24, 8th in the West) are in survival mode after losing Jimmy Butler for the season (ACL tear) and missing on Giannis Antetokounmpo. They’ve pivoted to Kristaps Porziņģis (acquired from Atlanta) and now added Pat Spencer — but the final spot could go to a connective, defensive-minded guard like Ball on a cheap deal.
It’s a low-risk, high-IQ gamble that fits Steve Kerr’s preference for smart, unselfish players — but the shooting and health concerns make it far from a slam dunk.
Warriors fans — would you take a flier on Lonzo Ball for the rest of the season on a minimum deal? Or do you prefer the team look elsewhere (perhaps for shooting or another skill set)? Let me know your thoughts below — the buyout window is open, and Golden State still has work to do.