Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
Getty
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors created two open roster spots at the trade deadline by sending three players to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and Trayce Jackson-Davis departed, leaving Golden State with roster flexibility and an opportunity to add talent from the buyout market.
The Warriors filled one spot Saturday by converting Pat Spencer from a two-way contract to a standard deal. Spencer had reached his 50-game limit on a two-way contract and needed the upgrade to remain eligible. That leaves one remaining spot for Golden State to address.
The timing matters. Jimmy Butler is out for the season with a torn ACL. Stephen Curry continues dealing with runner’s knee that has no clear return timeline. Porzingis has missed 100 games over the past two and a half seasons due to various injuries. The Warriors need depth that can contribute immediately if injuries continue mounting.
Here are five buyout candidates the Warriors could target to fill that final roster spot.
Shams Charania
The Golden State Warriors are signing two-way guard Pat Spencer to a contract for the rest of the season, Mark Bartelstein and Ross Aroyo of @PrioritySports tell ESPN.
1. Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball
GettyLonzo Ball is already getting buzz on the NBA buyout market.
Lonzo Ball represents the most likely option for Golden State. Multiple reports indicate the Warriors have significant interest in the former second overall pick after the Utah Jazz waived him following a trade deadline deal.
Ball spent the season with the Cleveland Cavaliers before being moved to Utah in a salary-clearing transaction. The Cavaliers included two second-round picks just to offload his contract, and the Jazz immediately released him to create roster flexibility.
The 6-foot-5 guard brings size, defensive instincts, and playmaking ability. Those attributes fit what the Warriors need from their depth pieces. Ball can defend bigger guards, push pace in transition, and make the simple passes that keep Golden State’s motion offense flowing.
The concern is his shooting. Ball is averaging just 4.6 points per game this season on 33.9% shooting from the field and 31.3% from three-point range. Those numbers represent a significant decline from his pre-injury production with the Chicago Bulls, when he was averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals before suffering a meniscus tear in January 2022.
Ball missed two full seasons recovering from that injury, which included a cartilage transplant. He’s shown flashes of his former ability as a defender and facilitator, but the shooting efficiency remains problematic. If defenses don’t respect his shot, they’ll go under screens and shrink the floor for Golden State’s offense.
The Warriors would likely use Ball sparingly in a defined role. Spot minutes when they need perimeter size, defensive versatility, and secondary ball-handling. If he can stabilize those stretches without hurting the offense, he becomes a valuable rotation piece.
Jake Fischer
As the Warriors are working to convert two-way guard Pat Spencer to a roster spot, Golden State also has its sights set on adding Lonzo Ball via the buyout market, sources say.
2. Haywood Highsmith
Haywood Highsmith, Miami Heat
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty ImagesHaywood Highsmith, Miami Heat.
Haywood Highsmith hasn’t played this season after undergoing meniscus surgery in August, but he’s reportedly healthy and ready to contribute immediately. The 6-foot-5 wing was waived by the Miami Heat and represents the most coveted player on the buyout market.
Highsmith shot 38.1% from three-point range over the past two seasons with Miami. He’s known primarily as a solid defender with the length to guard wings, exactly what the Warriors desperately need. Golden State has struggled defensively all season and lacks reliable wing depth after trading Kuminga.
The challenge is competition. Multiple contenders will pursue Highsmith, and some teams may be able to offer more than the veteran minimum that Golden State can provide. Teams with mid-level exception money remaining could sweeten their offers, giving them an advantage over the Warriors.
If Highsmith is genuinely available and interested in Golden State, he should be the top priority. He addresses the Warriors’ most glaring need and provides exactly the type of two-way contribution that travels in playoff basketball.
3. Chris Boucher
Chris Boucher brings energy and activity in short bursts. The Boston Celtics traded him to Utah at the deadline in a salary-clearing move, and the Jazz immediately waived him.
Boucher appeared in just nine games for Boston this season, averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in limited minutes. His production doesn’t tell the full story. Boucher can block shots, crash the glass, and run the floor in transition. He provides a different energy than what the Warriors currently have at the center position.
The 6-foot-8 forward won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and spent eight seasons there as a reliable bench big. His best stretch came during the 2020-21 season when he averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 38.0% from three-point range.
For the Warriors, Boucher would fill the role Jackson-Davis occupied before being traded. A backup center who can provide 10-15 minutes of solid play without breaking the defensive scheme. That matters more now with Porzingis’ injury history creating uncertainty about his availability.
The limitations are real. Boucher isn’t a strong anchor defensively and can struggle against bigger centers. But in targeted minutes, particularly in pace-and-space lineups, he could provide value.
4. Cam Thomas
Cam Thomas
GettyCam Thomas of the Brooklyn Nets.
Cam Thomas represents the highest upside option on the buyout market. The Brooklyn Nets waived him after failing to find a trade partner, making the 24-year-old guard available to any team.
Thomas averaged 15.6 points and 3.1 assists in 24 games this season before being waived. He’s a proven shot creator who can manufacture offense when possessions break down. That skill becomes valuable in playoff settings when defenses lock in and half-court execution matters.
The concern is efficiency and defense. Thomas shot just 39.9% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range this season. He also missed 20 games with a hamstring injury. Defensively, he’s a liability that requires hiding in matchups.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr prioritizes two-way players who fit within the system. Thomas would need to accept a clearly defined role with limited minutes and specific defensive matchups. If he’s willing to do that, his shot-creation ability could be useful in bench units that lack scoring punch.
The fit isn’t obvious, but the talent is undeniable. If the Warriors believe they can manage his defensive limitations, Thomas provides offensive firepower that few buyout candidates can match.
5. Eric Gordon
Eric Gordon could be a target for the Boston Celtics
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesEric Gordon could be a target for the Golden State Warriors.
Eric Gordon brings veteran experience and shooting gravity. The Memphis Grizzlies waived him after acquiring him from the Philadelphia 76ers in a deadline deal designed to create roster flexibility.
Gordon averaged just 5.5 points in six games with Philadelphia this season, a small sample size that doesn’t reflect his career body of work. He’s a 37.5% three-point shooter for his career and has played in 104 playoff games. He knows how to play next to stars, relocate for open shots, and make the extra pass.
The Warriors need spacing, particularly with Butler out and Curry’s return timeline unclear. Gordon provides that in a low-usage role. He doesn’t need plays run for him or extended minutes. He just needs to make defenses respect his shooting and keep the floor open for Golden State’s primary options.
The defensive concerns are real. Gordon can be targeted in matchups at this stage of his career. The Warriors would need to surround him with enough size and defensive ability to compensate. But for a team looking for one simple tool to help in the stretch run, Gordon’s shooting and veteran presence check that box.
What’s Next for Warriors
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Golden State sits at 28-25 in eighth place in the Western Conference. They’re locked into another play-in tournament appearance unless they can string together wins over the final two months of the regular season. Adding the right buyout piece could make a difference in close games where depth matters.
Ball appears to be the frontrunner based on reported interest from the Warriors. He fits the profile of what Golden State needs. Size, defense, and playmaking without requiring heavy usage. If his shooting improves even slightly, he becomes a rotation regular.
But the Warriors should explore all options before committing. Highsmith would be a better fit if available. Boucher addresses the center depth concern. Thomas and Gordon bring veteran scoring punch if the Warriors decide offense matters more than defense.
The deadline has passed. The roster flexibility exists. Now it’s about finding the right player to maximize what remains of Golden State’s championship window with Curry still healthy and productive. The buyout market provides options. The Warriors need to choose wisely.