What happened: Guard Pat Spencer has agreed to a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns, ending a three-year run in Golden State. The move sends the former college lacrosse standout to a new backcourt after his role with the Warriors grew each season.
Why it matters: It is an early-offseason commitment for a player who had built a case for a standard deal, suggesting his camp prioritized a clear path to minutes over waiting out the market. Phoenix recently moved on from Grayson Allen, leaving backcourt reps available for Spencer to chase a standard contract during the 2026-27 season.
By the numbers: Spencer's usage climbed steadily in Golden State: six games as a rookie, 39 the next year at 6.4 minutes, then 66 games with 14 starts this past season while averaging 18.6 minutes, 7.2 points and 3.5 assists. He closes his Warriors tenure with 111 regular-season appearances and eight playoff games. As his fourth NBA season, 2026-27 is his final year of two-way eligibility.
What to watch: Watch whether Spencer converts the two-way into a standard deal as the season progresses, as he did late in each of the past two years, and how Phoenix distributes its open backcourt minutes.