Warriors, Gui Santos agree on contract extension

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Warriors, Gui Santos agree on contract extension

Warriors player Gui Santos and coach Steve Kerr — MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 25: Gui Santos #15 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 25, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)Golden State Warriors v Memphis Grizzlies

Evan Webeck · NY Post Sports

Sat, Feb 28, 2026 ·

3 min read

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SAN FRANCISCO — One of the Warriors' biggest successes of their recent draft classes secured at least his short-term future with Golden State.

The Warriors on Saturday morning announced an agreement with Gui Santos on a contract extension. The team did not disclose terms of the deal, but ESPN's Shams Charania reported that it will pay the 23-year-old Brazilian wing $15 million over the next three years.

Golden State selected Santos with the 55th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Gui Santos, the 55th pick in the 2022 NBA draft, has started and scored in double figures in 11 of the Warriors' 12 games since Jan. 26. NBAE via Getty Images

His energy on the court and bubbly presence in the locker room made him a quick hit within the organization, but this season he has emerged as a reliable rotation member — one the Warriors were comfortable committing to through at least 2027-28.

The deal, according to Charania, includes a player option for 2028-29.

"Gui has become one of our shot creators," coach Steve Kerr said after practice Friday, before the agreement was finalized. "He does it in some unorthodox ways. But he's got a great sense of the game. When to cut. His cutting frequently opens up somebody else."

Santos was set to become a restricted free agent after this season and, with his emergence over the past month, would have likely had a few suitors.

Santos made his fourth start of the season Jan. 26 against the Timberwolves and turned in a double-double. He has started and scored in double figures in all but one game since.

Over the 12-game stretch, Santos has averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals while playing 28.8 minutes per game.

The biggest difference has been the emergence of his 3-point shot, connecting at a 43.1% rate from beyond the arc compared with a career mark of 36.3%.

The Warriors asked Santos to take on a bigger role in the wake of Jimmy Butler 's season-ending ACL injury. It also coincides with the end of Jonathan Kuminga's tumultuous tenure .

"The coaches here, the staff, the organization, they've helped me with everything I need, and right now, they're giving me the opportunity to show a little bit more because of all that happened," Santos said after practice Friday. "That's opened a little more space to show what you can do."

Jan 22, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

In many ways, Santos has grown into the player Kerr always hoped Kuminga could be. While Santos lacks the athleticism and natural skill that made Kuminga a lottery pick, his quick decision-making on offense and relentless motor on defense allowed him to fit better within the Warriors' well-established system with Steph Curry and Draymond Green .

Santos said there was one key word to his success this season: "Patience."

Coming from Novo Basquete Brasil, the country's top professional league, Santos spent his entire first year after being drafted with the Warriors' G League affiliate in Santa Cruz. He didn't make his NBA debut until Nov. 16, 2023. He made his first career start this season, on Nov. 19.

Early on, Santos recalled asking a staff member the key to succeeding in Golden State.

"You've got to play hard defense. You've got to be crashing the boards all the time. And you've just got to find Steph. It's easy," he was told. "I said, 'All right. I'm doing that.'"

The shot creation Kerr praised stems from Santos' history as a point guard. The 6-foot-7 wing had the ball in his hands his entire career in Brazil. The Warriors wanted him to play power forward — sometimes even center.

"I spent a whole year in the G League just learning how to fit in the system here," Santos said. "I had to change my game a little bit to fit in the system. I think that's what a lot of players struggle with. Because it's hard. … I just kept going and going."

And now, he has secured financial security and the future he once envisioned.

"My goal always," he said, "was playing in the NBA, playing for the Warriors."

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