Gui Santos has improved in each of his three NBA seasons and is now a major part of the Golden State Warriors‘ rotation. Santos, who was slated to become a restricted free agent this summer, was rewarded for his development with a three-year contract yesterday.

“Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos has signed a three-year, $15 million contract extension with the franchise, sources tell ESPN,” Shams Charania tweeted. “The deal includes a player option in 2028-29.”

Santos, selected with the No. 55 pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Warriors, didn’t sign his first NBA deal until the fall of 2023. Santos spent the entire first season with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G-League, where he was named an All-Star. He started the 2023-24 campaign with Santa Cruz, but essentially split his time between the two teams, though he didn’t get much run with Golden State.

What Does Gui Santos Extension Affect The Warriors  This Summer?

Last year, Santos spent most of the season with Golden State. The 6-7 forward saw action in 56 games, averaging 14 minutes a contest, and showed mild improvement over his first season with the Warriors. Meanwhile, the 23-year-old has spent the entire year with Golden State.

Aided by Golden State’s multitude of injuries, Santos has been able to carve out a major role in Steve Kerr’s rotation. Santos has appeared in 49 of the Warriors’ 60 contests, averaging 6.8 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 53.0% from the field and 38.4% from the 3-point line. He has scored in double-figures on 14 occassions and produced two double-doubles.

“Gui has become one of our shot creators,” coach 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 has stepped up his production since being inserted into the starting lineup and has been fabulous in February. Santos scored 14 points, on 6 of 12 shooting, and grabbed four rebounds in 27 minutes last night in the Warriors’ 129-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. It was his ninth double-figure scoring game of the month. He finished the month averaging 15.2 points along with 5.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 57.9% from the field and 43.6% from the 3-point line.

“Vamos Santos!!!,” Warriors teammate Draymond Green wrote via Instagram.

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