The 2025 NBA Draft was a whirlwind of trades and surprises, but for the Golden State Warriors, the real magic happened after the draft ended. While the team made calculated moves to select forward Alex Toohey and guard Will Richard with a pair of traded second-round picks, it was their post-draft hustle in the undrafted free agent market that stole the show. In a move that could haunt the rest of the league, the Warriors signed former Houston Cougars star L.J. Cryer to an Exhibit 10 contract—a low-risk, high-reward gamble that has the potential to reshape their roster and strike fear into their rivals.
The Undrafted Gem Nobody Saw Coming
L.J. Cryer wasn’t the name on everyone’s lips during the draft. At 6-foot-1, he’s considered undersized for an NBA guard, and despite his undeniable talent, his defensive limitations kept him off most teams’ draft boards. But what Cryer lacks in height, he more than makes up for with a lethal shooting stroke that could make him a nightmare for opponents.
Cryer’s college career is a highlight reel of clutch performances and long-range sniping. He spent three years at Baylor, where he helped secure a national championship in 2021, before transferring to Houston for his final two seasons. There, he cemented his reputation as one of college basketball’s premier marksmen, leading his conference in three-point shooting for three consecutive seasons. In the 2024-25 campaign, Cryer torched defenses with a jaw-dropping 42.4% from beyond the arc, averaging 15.7 points per game and guiding Houston to the National Championship Game.
Despite his credentials, Cryer’s size and defensive questions left him undrafted. That’s when Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy pounced, outmaneuvering the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards to secure the sharpshooter’s services. “Former Houston Cougar and All-American guard L.J. Cryer is joining the Golden State Warriors, per source, in an Exhibit 10 deal,” reported Chancellor Johnson on X. “The Lakers, Raptors, and Wizards were also in the mix for one of college basketball’s top shooters.”
Why Cryer Is a Perfect Fit for Golden State
The Warriors have a storied history of turning overlooked talent into game-changers. From Draymond Green to Stephen Curry himself, Golden State has a knack for finding diamonds in the rough and polishing them into stars. Cryer fits that mold perfectly. His elite three-point shooting aligns seamlessly with the Warriors’ high-octane, space-and-pace offense, where shooters thrive under the tutelage of Steve Kerr and alongside Curry, the greatest shooter in NBA history.
While Cryer’s defensive shortcomings are a concern, the Warriors’ system is uniquely equipped to mask them. With defensive stalwarts like Draymond Green and a team-oriented scheme, Golden State can afford to take a chance on a player whose offensive upside is this tantalizing. If Cryer can develop even passable defensive skills, he could become a lethal weapon off the bench, stretching defenses thin and creating chaos in pick-and-roll situations.
A Nightmare for the NBA
The rest of the league should be on high alert. The Warriors’ ability to unearth and develop talent is unmatched, and Cryer’s addition could be a game-changer. Imagine a second unit featuring Cryer’s deadeye shooting alongside Golden State’s relentless motion offense. Defenses already struggle to contain Curry and Klay Thompson (assuming he re-signs); adding Cryer’s 42% three-point accuracy could make the Warriors’ attack borderline unfair.
Cryer’s Exhibit 10 deal carries minimal risk for Golden State. He’s likely to join their summer league squad, where he’ll have a chance to prove he belongs in the NBA. If he pans out, the Warriors may have found their next steal—a player who went from undrafted to indispensable. If he doesn’t, they’ve lost little in the process. But given Golden State’s track record, betting against them developing Cryer into a contributor feels like a mistake.
The Bigger Picture
The Warriors’ draft night wasn’t just about Cryer. Their trade-down strategy to acquire Toohey and Richard showed a clear focus on building depth with high-upside players. But it’s the undrafted free agent market where they’ve historically done some of their best work, and Cryer could be the latest success story. As the NBA continues to evolve, teams that can find value in overlooked prospects will stay ahead of the curve. The Warriors, with their championship pedigree and development prowess, are poised to do just that.
For now, Cryer is a long shot with sky-high potential. The Warriors took a flier on a player no team wanted, and if history is any indication, that decision could spell trouble for the rest of the NBA. Keep an eye on L.J. Cryer this summer—he might just be the spark that ignites Golden State’s next dynasty.