Golden State turns Pat Spencer into a standard contract

With two roster spots that he vacated Kristaps Porzingis-Jontan Kringaand the Traice Jackson-Davis transaction, the Golden State Warriors are converting two-way guard and fan favorite Pat Spencer to a standard NBA contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charani.

Spencer appeared this season as a solid general off the bench, after years of struggling between the Warriors’ G-League affiliate and non-guaranteed two-way contracts. Spencer is averaging 5.8 points, 2.9 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game in 50 appearances this season, shooting over 43% from three-point range.

“Business is business. But I’m beyond grateful for this organization and what we’ve been able to do together,” Spencer said after his final game as a two-way player, when his future was up in the air. “I’m grateful they gave me the opportunity and we’ll see where the chips fall.”

During Golden State’s trip to the East Coast in December, with a depleted rotation due to injuries to their stars, Spencer shined in their absence. While the Warriors suffered a narrow loss to the Sixers, Spencer has 19 points and 7 assists he led them to an upset win over the Cavs. And the next day he helped the Dubs secure an important win over the Bulls to keep their season alive.

The retreat is titled “Spensanity,” with a picture of Spencer pounding her chest and yelling the words, “I’m that mother!” after the big basket at the head of her Cinderella run.

“I think the other thing is that his coach realized that Pat was a dick,” Steve Kerr joked after Spencer’s big game against Cleveland.

Spencer’s importance and path to the NBA

Lately, with Golden State once again plagued by injuries, most notably Jimmy Butler’s torn ACL and running back Stephen Curry’s lingering knee pain, Spencer has re-emerged to fill the Dubs’ holes. U The Warriors beat the Phoenix Suns 101-97 hours after the deadline, Spencer scored a game-high 20 points on 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.

In a win that Kerr said felt like “winning the championship” in terms of its importance to the team’s morale, Spencer once again had his fingerprints all over the key victory.

It’s been a long road for Spencer to secure the coveted standard NBA contract. And it started in a completely different sport.

Originally a lacrosse player, Spencer spent four years at Loyola as one of the top players in the entire nation. As a senior, he won the Tevaarathon Award, considered the Heisman Trophy for NCAA DI lacrosse, amassing the College Lacrosse record for career assists with 231 assists, as well as the Patriot League record for career points with 380. But instead of playing pro lacrosse, Spencer switched to Northwestern basketball.

Then, in 2022, Spencer signed a 10-season contract with the Warriors before later joining their Santa Cruz G-League affiliate. Spencer would bounce back and forth between San Francisco and Santa Cruz on a two-way contract, using those years to develop his game to the NBA level, especially his jump shot. Spencer’s 22.7 3-point percentage last season jumped t0 43.1% this season, which Kerr credits for his increased playing time.

After four years of grinding, Spencer now finds himself with a standard NBA contract on a team that loves his energy and grit.

As Gui Santos said, “Pat is that mother.