As injuries continue to affect the Golden State Warriors’ key players this season, 23-year-old power forward Gui Santos has seized the opportunity to emerge as a reliable contributor. With stars like Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler sidelined, and Draymond Green’s availability inconsistent, Santos has stepped up, showcasing promising development and expanding his role significantly during recent games.
Gui Santos Capitalizes on Increased Playing Time
During the Warriors’ recent 133–112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, Santos delivered one of the best performances of his young career. The forward scored 17 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting, while adding three rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block. His well-rounded game highlighted why Golden State has entrusted him with more responsibility amid the team’s ongoing injury challenges.
Journey from Late Draft Pick to Key Contributor
Selected 55th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Gui Santos initially saw limited minutes, often oscillating between the Golden State roster and the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors. Early expectations for the young forward were modest, but that perception has shifted dramatically. Since January 28, Santos has averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, shooting an impressive 61.3% overall and 46.7% from beyond the arc. In his most recent four games, his production increased further, averaging 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 block, showing starter-level impact while logging significant minutes.
Coach Kerr Highlights Santos’ Growing Versatility
Steve Kerr, the Warriors’ head coach, has praised Santos for his expanded skill set beyond just hustle plays and spot-up shooting. After the recent win, Kerr noted,
“He’s taken another step this year, Gui has,”
and added,
“But now, he’s become more on-ball as a creator [and] a post-up guy. He has the ability to play point guard when the other team is pressuring us. He’s really a versatile player and somebody we really value.”
Santos’ evolving role as a point-forward mirrors the qualities that made Draymond Green essential during Golden State’s championship runs. The Brazilian player credits the trust he receives from teammates, especially Curry, for boosting his confidence.
“When you know you’re going to play every night, when you know your team trusts you, Steph trusts you, that gives you way more confidence,”
Santos said during an appearance on 95.7 The Game.
Statistical Evidence Supports Santos’ Impact
Beyond traditional statistics, advanced metrics underline Santos’ importance for the Warriors this season. His overall plus/minus stands at +69, ranking among the best on the roster, while Green’s sits at -7, a notable contrast reflecting the team’s fluctuating performance. The disparity widens after Jimmy Butler’s ACL injury on January 19; since then, Green’s plus/minus dropped to -68, the lowest on the squad, whereas Santos maintains a solid +12, the fourth-best on the team.
Santos’ Rise Spurs Debate Over Draymond Green’s Role
Santos’ consistent production has sparked discussion about how Green fits into the current Warriors lineup, particularly without Curry’s presence as the primary playmaker. The conversation intensified when Nick Friedell, a Warriors reporter for The Athletic, suggested Green might benefit from reduced playing time.
“I don’t know if it’ll happen by the end of this year,”
Friedell commented on 95.7 The Game,
“but Draymond is probably best served coming off the bench, playing 18 to 20 minutes, giving a defensive jolt when needed.”
Days later, Friedell reaffirmed his stance, emphasizing that both statistical data and on-court observations support the idea.
“They’re just a better team when Draymond is in these more limited minutes right now,”
he stated.
Concerns Over Green’s Efficiency Strengthen Argument
Green’s shooting efficiency has declined notably this season. After a strong start with 43.5% three-point shooting in October, his accuracy fell to 28.6% in January and only slightly recovered to 31.6% in February. Additionally, he averages 2.7 turnovers per game, second only to Curry on the squad. The issue is compounded because Green’s offensive role has diminished, amplifying the negative impact of mistakes, especially in Curry’s absence.
Coach Kerr acknowledged the challenge, saying,
“I’ve got to do a better job of helping Draymond,”
and noted,
“The game is so different without Steph. Those two guys have built such a rapport for 14 years now.”
Upcoming Decisions About Warriors’ Lineup
Kerr has emphasized that Draymond Green is particularly affected by Curry’s absence, disrupting the two-man dynamic that has long been a pillar of the Warriors’ offensive strategy. Even with Curry’s anticipated return, Gui Santos’ recent performances are forcing the team to consider how to best allocate roles moving forward.
Santos has done more than fill in for injured players—he has shifted game momentum and contributed significantly to wins. With his strong advanced metrics, consistent play, and growing trust from teammates and coaches, Santos is positioning himself as a valuable asset whose role could remain substantial regardless of who returns to the lineup.
As Golden State searches for stability and positive results this season, Gui Santos has evolved from a promising prospect to a key factor whose continued development could influence the team’s competitive trajectory.
"I'm not gonna lie to you, I'm feeling really good right now about my shooting and confidence. Especially when you know you're going to play every night, when you know your team trusts you, Steph trusts you, that gives you way more confidence."
– Gui Santos on @WillardAndDibs pic.twitter.com/jYibG2ydxt
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) February 24, 2026
"I don't know if it'll happen by the end of this year or not, but Draymond probably is best served in that super sub role, coming off the bench, playing 18-20 minutes a game, giving a defensive jolt when needed."
– @NickFriedell on a new role for Dray (via @WillardAndDibs). pic.twitter.com/3xFXYfHmsg
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) February 25, 2026
"It's up to Kerr to make the decision, and I don't think there's any question when the three of us are sitting there watching like all the die hard fans out there, they're just a better team when Draymond is in these more limited minutes right now,"@NickFriedell on the best… pic.twitter.com/2RlIUgU70T
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) February 26, 2026
