This year’s offseason has been among the most active in recent years. With virtually every major franchise making moves, each team has found a way to upgrade its roster. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Golden State Warriors.
Having displayed a reluctance to pull the trigger on blockbuster trades, the Warriors have struggled to make any upgrades. Instead, by re-signing players such as Kristaps Porzingis and De’Anthony Melton, the Warriors are effectively entering the 2026-27 season with the same roster as last year.
While this could be viewed positively in some ways, with players such as Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sidelined with injuries, Golden State isn’t in a solid position, even though the front office and ownership believe otherwise. Thus, at this juncture, it is truly difficult to view the Warriors as contenders in a highly competitive Western Conference.
But does this mean the Warriors won’t even try to compete?
Not exactly. Although there is a belief that the upcoming campaign will be a gap year for the Dubs, there is some expectation that Golden State will compete all the same. With players like Draymond Green and Stephen Curry leading the team, it is also difficult to completely count them out. Still, the roster needs some shoring up.
Since trades aren’t exactly a viable option anymore, the Warriors could turn their attention elsewhere. Given that some intriguing names are floating under the radar, we examine three free agents the Dubs could consider signing to strengthen their bench ahead of the new season.
Bruce Brown
One player the Warriors could consider signing this summer is veteran guard and former NBA champion Bruce Brown. After a reunion with the Nuggets didn’t necessarily pan out favorably, Brown could seek new opportunities elsewhere. Given the Warriors’ need for more positional flexibility, adding a player like Brown seems completely reasonable.
Bruce Brown has established himself as a versatile two-way guard. Although he is slightly undersized for a wing, Brown possesses remarkable physical tools and instincts. However, these qualities are supported by relentless hustle and intensity, factors that position him as a game-changing player in the right setting.
Last season, Brown posted 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 47.5% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. Although his production in the playoffs wasn’t as promising, his defensive intensity was still noteworthy.
In many ways, Brown’s role could clash with players such as De’Anthony Melton and Brandon Podziemski. But given the Dubs’ lack of wing depth with both Moody and Butler sidelined, adding Brown as low-cost insurance could be worthwhile.
Cam Thomas
Former Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas surprisingly found himself entering free agency after being waived by Milwaukee last season. Since then, the 24-year-old has seen virtually no interest from teams around the league. However, given how often he’s been linked to the Warriors, there may be reason to believe that it’s time for the Dubs to make the move.
Unlike Bruce Brown, Cam Thomas has positioned himself as an elite scoring guard. While possessing a versatile offensive arsenal, Thomas routinely turned it up on offense to score at will. Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding him haven’t always been favorable, potentially leading to fallouts with rosters.
Thomas averaged 13.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 41.0% from the field and 31.0% from three-point range. Just by gauging his stats, it is evident that while Thomas is an elite scoring threat, he struggles to contribute in other aspects of the game. While this may dissuade most teams from pursuing him, Golden State may find value in this, too.
At 24, Thomas has immense untapped potential. By cultivating his talent in the right system, the Warriors could effectively add another gifted guard to bolster their rotation. Needless to say, investing in Thomas is risky. But the Warriors may benefit from taking such a risk, especially if it is a short-term project.
Ben Simmons
Former All-Star Ben Simmons has been gaining attention lately as he attempts to make an NBA comeback. After missing an entire season to recover from his injuries, the latest updates suggest that Simmons is in far better shape than he was when he last played. But is he still worth investing in?
On paper, Ben Simmons seems like a promising fit on the Warriors’ roster, especially as a role player. While his perimeter shooting is beyond underwhelming, the three-time All-Star brings a lot more to the table that could be considered worthwhile.
At his size, Simmons possesses tremendous mobility and athleticism, allowing him to move freely around the floor on offense and guard multiple positions. Pair this with length and playmaking abilities, and the Warriors would effectively be adding a second, slightly larger version of Draymond Green to anchor the second unit.
In his last NBA campaign (2024-25), Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. While this may not jump off the page, these are quite promising for a playmaking big man off the bench. Given how effective he could be as a rebounder, defensive anchor, and backup point guard, Golden State may see value in pursuing him, even if it means sacrificing some floor spacing.
