The Golden State Warriors have had a rather quiet offseason that returned many familiar faces from last season’s roster. Now, they have added two newcomers at the guard and forward positions.
The Warriors agreed to sign 6-foot-1 point guard Brandon Williams to a one-year, $2.6 million deal, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. Golden State also agreed to sign free agent forward Georges Niang to a one-year, $3.9 million deal, Charania reported.
Williams spent the 2025-26 season with the Dallas Mavericks, where he averaged career highs with 13 points and 3.9 assists in 66 games. Williams averaged 22.2 minutes per night, the most playing time he’s seen since joining the NBA as an undrafted rookie signing in 2021.
Williams was on the Mavericks’ roster the previous three seasons. He first entered the league playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, where he averaged 12.9 points in 24 games in 2021-22.
The veteran Niang has averaged 7.4 points per game across 544 NBA games, but did not play in 2025-26 due to injury.
How Brandon Williams fits with Warriors
The fifth-year NBA player joins a guard-heavy team already featuring the likes of Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, LJ Cryer, Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton.
Williams will seemingly be a spark off the bench for Golden State. It’s a role Williams is familiar with and the Warriors know how dynamic he can be torching other second units − they got a taste of that work last season.
Williams had one of his best games against the Warriors on Christmas Day 2025, while with the Mavericks. Williams seemingly couldn’t miss that day. He tallied 26 points on 9-for-12 shooting from the field.
He scored a career-high against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 7, 2025 when he went off for 31 points on 10-for-15 shooting, including 4-of-8 on 3-point field goals. He added six assists, five rebounds and a steal to his stat line. Williams showcased his ability to get to the rim and draw contact that game, getting to the free throw line eight times, making seven.
How Georges Niang fits with Warriors
If healthy, Niang brings another 3-point shooting threat to the Warriors roster. He fits in all too well.
After a decade in the NBA, Niang has proved to be a reliable role player and credible 3-point shooter who connects from deep at a 40% clip for his career.
Niang missed the 2025-26 season due to a foot injury. The Warriors were all too familiar with injuries last season, with Curry, Moody, Jimmy Butler III and Al Horford among the big names impacted.
Niang has played for the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. He was going to return to the Jazz after a trade last offseason because the team felt his veteran presence would benefit their young core. Niang joining the Warriors’ mix of veteran leadership and young reserves should be the perfect storm.
Plus, Niang should be somewhat familiar with the Warriors’ organization and development system having played for their G-League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, during the 2017-18 season.
Reuniting old teammates
Williams won’t have too much of a time getting acclimated with the Warriors and how they operate. He is already familiar with a member of the team.
Williams is a 26-year-old guard from Los Angeles. He attended Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California, where he was teammates with Melton. They dominated the floor when they shared the space. Melton averaged 20 points and Williams averaged 15.8 points as they led the Celts to a 33-5 record and won the CIF Division I state championship.
The two celebrated Williams’ signing, posting a screen grab from their FaceTime video call showing both smiling as Williams quoted the tagline for hip-hop producer Chandler “Turbo” Durham.
“RUN IT BACK TURBOOOO @DeAnthonyMelton,” Williams posted on X, formerly Twitter, with blue and yellow hearts symbolizing the Warriors’ color-scheme.
Although not Southern California, Williams is back on the West Coast, so that has to be a breath of fresh air for him. His familiarity with Melton should help make for a smooth transition to the Bay Area.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Warriors signing Georges Niang, Brandon Williams: How they fit with Golden State
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