Golden State Warriors extend young prospect for three years

The Golden State Warriorsofficially announced on Saturday the contract extension of Gui Santos, their 23-year-old Brazilian forward. According to ESPN and Shams Charania, the deal is for three years and $15 million, with a player option for the 2028-2029 season.

This extension rewards Santos’s remarkable performances since the beginning of 2026. After becoming a starter in January following Jimmy Butler‘s knee injury, the former 55th pick of the 2022 draft seized his opportunity brilliantly.

Impressive statistics that justify the confidence

Since joining the starting five on January 26th against the Timberwolves, Santos has averaged 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals in 30 minutes of play. Even more impressive, he’s shooting 57.8% from the field and 43.6% from 3-point range during this period.

« Gui has become one of our playmakers, » said coach Steve Kerr before the deal was finalized. « He does it in sometimes unorthodox ways. But he has an excellent sense of the game. He knows when to cut. His cuts frequently open up space for someone else. »

The Brazilian forward has scored in double figures in 11 of the last 12 games, demonstrating a consistency that Jonathan Kuminga, recently traded to the Atlanta Hawks, had lacked.

Patience, the key to Santos’s success

Asked on Friday about his journey, Santos emphasized the importance of patience in his development: « The keyword for that is patience. Because when I got here, I was a point guard. Playing in Brazil was like playing point guard, having the ball in my hands. I spent a whole year in G-League learning how to fit into the system. »

Drafted in 2022 from the Brazilian championship, Santos began his NBA career with the Santa Cruz Warriors before making his NBA debut in November 2023. His first game as a starter only dates back to November 2025.

With injuries to Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, Santos had to take on more responsibilities, particularly in playmaking. A role he particularly enjoys thanks to his past as a point guard in Brazil. This versatility and his defensive impact now make him an indispensable element of the Warriors’ rotation, who preferred to secure him before he became a restricted free agent this summer.