In a dazzling display of talent and tenacity, Patrick Baldwin Jr., the former Golden State Warriors draft pick, is proving his worth with the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Summer League. Once a promising prospect selected 28th overall by the Warriors, Baldwin’s journey has been anything but smooth. Traded to the Washington Wizards in 2023 as part of the Jordan Poole deal and later waived by the San Antonio Spurs, the 22-year-old forward found himself signing a two-way contract with the Clippers after the trade deadline. Limited to just two games with the Clippers and absent from their playoff rotation, Baldwin is now seizing his moment in the Summer League spotlight to show the Warriors—and the NBA—what they might have overlooked.
Baldwin Jr. erupted for a game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds in the Clippers’ commanding 106-91 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. His stat line was a masterclass in efficiency, boasting an impressive 50% field goal percentage, 40% from beyond the arc, and a perfect 100% from the free-throw line. Outshining teammates Jordan Miller and Cam Christie, who each tallied 21 points, Baldwin’s performance was a loud statement: he’s ready to make his mark.
Postgame, Baldwin opened up to Joey Linn about the mental transformation that’s fueling his resurgence. “I think that’s what great individual players have,” he said, reflecting on the newfound “edge” he’s cultivated. “They have something that gets them up in the morning and makes them lace it up extra tight.” Admitting he lacked this intensity when he entered the league, Baldwin credits his growth to observing the grit of winning teams. “It’s something I’ve worked on,” he explained. “You can add mental parts to your game just like you can add physical parts.”
Patrick Baldwin Jr. had some insightful comments postgame about playing with an edge.
“I think that’s what great individual players have. They have something that gets them up in the morning and makes them lace it up extra tight. Winning teams have that. It can be developed. I’m… pic.twitter.com/grezkNAbWC
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) July 14, 2025
This mental toughness has been forged through adversity. Traded early in his career and relegated to a two-way deal, Baldwin faced doubts about his place in the NBA. Yet, at just 22, he’s channeling those setbacks into motivation, proving he’s far from finished.
The Warriors’ decision to part ways with Baldwin so early in his career is starting to look like a misstep. While he’s yet to fully showcase his potential in the regular season, his Summer League performance is a reminder of the raw talent that made him a first-round pick. With his size, shooting touch, and newfound mental fortitude, Baldwin is showing signs of becoming the player Golden State hoped he’d be when they drafted him.
As he continues to turn heads in Las Vegas, Baldwin’s story is one of resilience and redemption. The Clippers may have uncovered a gem, and the Warriors might just be regretting letting him slip through their fingers. With his “edge” sharper than ever, Patrick Baldwin Jr. is ready to prove he’s not just a prospect—he’s a problem for the rest of the league.